3 Players I Expect To Be A Huge Factor In An Edmonton Oilers Playoff Run

As the 2021/22 NHL playoffs approach, there are plenty of players that I would predict to have an impact on the Edmonton Oilers playoff run this season. However, there are three names that I think will have the biggest impact this coming post-season.

Evan Bouchard

Bouchard this season has emerged as the Oilers top power play option, as well as slotting into a top 4 role at 5 on 5. Evan Bouchard leads all Oilers defensemen in Games played at 62, Goals with 9, and is second in Assists with 23 (behind Tyson Barrie). Bouchard leads all Edmonton Oilers defensemen in Points with 32. Bouchard also leads Oilers defensemen in Relative Corsi for % (On-ice Corsi For % – Off-Ice Corsi For %) with 4.7% meaning the Oilers control possession of the puck a shade under 5% more when Bouchard is on the ice during 5 on 5 play. Bouchard also has the highest percentage of shots that make it to the net on the power play of the Oilers to 3 power play defensemen (Nurse, Barrie, and Bouchard) at 56.3%. The 2018 10th overall draft selection of the Oilers will likely get the opportunity to fill an Oscar Klefbom type of role in the 2021/22 playoffs as the Oilers top offensive option.

Mikko Koskinen

With Mike Smith’s nagging injury problems it’s clear that Mikko Koskinen will have to take over as the Oilers starter for the playoffs this season. The streaky 6’ 7” Finnish goaltender has had moments of brilliance mixed in with a fair amount of poor performances. This season Koskinen has posted a .911 save percentage at 5 on 5 for the Oilers allowing 81 goals at even strength on the 915 shots he has faced. Koskinen’s biggest struggles have come while the Oilers are killing penalties or giving up scoring chances. Koskinen has posted a .851 save percentage while the Edmonton Oilers are on the kill this season, which is 25th in the league at 75.9%. Koskinen has also struggled stopping scoring chances this season with a .881 save percentage against scoring chances on an Oilers team that has allowed 46 more scoring chances than the league average this season. With the Oilers goaltending biggest question mark being the goaltending this post-season, Koskinen has to have a big post season for the Oilers to go on a deep run.

Jesse Puljujarvi

Puljujarvi is another player that can have a major impact for the Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs. When the 23 year-old Fin is at his best, Puljujarvi is using his big 6’ 4” frame to create space and offence for himself and his line-mates. With Puljujarvi on the ice, the Oilers Corsi increases by a whopping 9.1%, which leads the team (2nd: Connor McDavid – 6.6%) as well as increasing the teams Fenwick by 8.8%, also leading the Oilers (2nd: Connor McDavid – 7.1%). With an expiring contract at the end of the season, there is an extra incentive for the Finnish winger to preform at his best in the playoffs. Puljujarvi’s physical style fits well in the tight checking style of the playoffs, as well as opening up some critical scoring opportunities that can benefit the Oilers this post-season.