3 Oilers who are critical to the team success in round 2

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It is important for the Edmonton Oilers to continue playing at their best and stay focused on the task at hand. The Vegas Golden Knights are a formidable opponent and will pose a challenge to the Oilers. However, the Oilers have a talented and skilled team, and if they play to their potential, they have a good chance of success.

Edmonton Oilers VS Vegas Golden Knights

To prepare for the upcoming series, the Oilers will need to study the Golden Knights’ playing style and develop a game plan to counter it. They will need to be disciplined on defence and capitalize on their scoring opportunities.

It will also be necessary for the Oilers to maintain their physical and mental stamina throughout the series. Playoff hockey can be gruelling, and the team will need to be resilient and adaptable to overcome any challenges they may face.

Overall, the Oilers have a tough road ahead of them, but with the right mindset and approach, they can be successful in the playoffs. Absolutely, having a well-balanced scoring attack is essential for sustained playoff success. While McDavid and Draisaitl are undoubtedly important contributors to the Oilers’ offence, relying too heavily on them can make the team predictable and easier to defend against. Other players on the team will need to step up and contribute to the scoresheet, both in terms of goals and assists.

Ultimately, success in the playoffs requires a team effort. The Oilers will need all of their players to step up and contribute in order to achieve their goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

Jan 13, 2023; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been a key player for the Oilers this season, both offensively and defensively. However, for the Oilers to succeed in the playoffs, they will need all of their top players to step up and contribute on the scoresheet. Nugent-Hopkins has the potential to be a significant scoring threat for the Oilers, and finding his scoring touch in the upcoming series against the Golden Knights could be crucial to the team’s success.

While the Oilers have been successful on the power play so far in the playoffs (56.3%), they cannot rely solely on that to score goals. Having Nugent-Hopkins find his scoring touch at even strength would be a significant boost to the team’s offence and make them a more well-rounded and unpredictable team to defend against.

Nugent-Hopkins was productive on the power play in the first round of the playoffs, but finding ways to contribute at even strength will be crucial for his success and the success of the team. This could include using his speed and playmaking abilities to create scoring opportunities for himself and his linemates or finding ways to capitalize on rebounds and loose pucks in front of the net.

Overall, the Oilers will need a balanced offensive attack to be successful in the playoffs, and every player will need to find ways to contribute at even strength. If Nugent-Hopkins can find his scoring touch in these situations, it could be a significant factor in the team’s continued playoff success.

CALGARY, AB – MAY 26: Darnell Nurse #25 of the Edmonton Oilers in action against the Calgary Flames during Game Five of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 26, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Flames 5-4 in overtime to win the series four games to one. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

D Darnell Nurse

It’s understandable why Darnell Nurse has been making lists of top underperforming defensemen, as he has been close to a non-factor in the playoffs. In the first round, Nurse only managed to get 3 assists across six games, that is simply not enough production from a top 4 defenseman who is playing heavy minutes for the Oilers.

Nurse has to use his strong skating ability, physicality and offensive instincts to make him a more valuable asset on both ends of the ice. He has to play at a high level and contribute both offensively and defensively, as it will be a significant factor in the Oiler’s success in the playoffs. It’s important to note that hockey is a team sport, and the Oilers will need all of their players to step up and contribute in order to achieve sustained success in the playoffs.

If Nurse cannot contribute as a scorer, every Oiler fan begs him to not miss any of his defensive assignments, as any mental defensive lapse in the playoffs will cause the team in that game and maybe the series. For a player pegged by the team to be a cornerstone defenseman, Nurse has to be able to minimize his mistakes in their own end if the team wishes to move forward to the Western Conference Finals.

May 14, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal by defensemen Cody Ceci (5) against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

D Cody Ceci

Cody Ceci will need to step up and contribute for the Oilers in the playoffs. While he may not have the offensive skills and production of Darnell Nurse, he needs to bring other important qualities to the team, such as his physicality and defensive abilities. Ceci only contributed a single assist in the first round, and there were times when his defensive play was not up to par. He had a few defensive miscues and turnovers, so he will need to focus on tightening up his play and making smart decisions with the puck. As a defenseman, his primary responsibility is to defend his own end and prevent the opposition from scoring.

If Ceci wants to help the Oilers in the playoffs, he will need to focus on improving his defensive play and reducing the number of mistakes he makes in his own end. This includes making smart decisions with the puck, positioning himself well, and using his physicality to win battles along the boards and in front of the net.

It’s important to remember that mistakes happen in hockey, and no player is perfect. However, it’s important for players like Ceci to learn from their mistakes and continue to work on improving their game. If he can do that, he can be a valuable contributor to the Oilers in the playoffs.

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