The Edmonton Oilers are struggling early on in the season, but here are three ways the team can improve from their current woes and get on track.
The Edmonton Oilers are off to a slow start, to say the least, but they have all the tools to turn around the season.
In the first two games played against the Vancouver Canucks, the Oilers was outplayed and out-scored by a team that possesses prime depth. In addition, the Canucks managed to outfox the gritty Oilers with a technical game.
We have also seen less frequent fore-checks by the Oilers, while watching them be out-hustled in both zones with common mistakes.
For the most part, the Oilers can improve from their current woes with a matter of common practice and drills that will help the players excel in their respective positions on-ice and in the game in general.
1) Shuffle the puck more in the offensive zone
The team has the right tools to skate around the main aspects of the offensive zone, but lack the depth in their passing game, which needs to be perfected. The prime reason the team is not producing consistently, is because of the puck movement among the players and the need to improve to score more goals.
This aspect would indeed clear up some woes the team possesses and help certain players from their individual slumps.
This is not taking anything from the Oilers though, with them still producing good chances to score. However, they need to work on the speed of play in the offensive zone to create more turnovers, and provide more slick passing to each other.
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2) Create turnovers in the neutral zone and chances in the offensive zone
This aspect was the gameplan all along for the Oilers, but they have struggled so far and need to pick up the pace in this area. It was strategized last season as a nifty way of scoring goals and this arsenal of theirs needs to be played with more technique.
More importantly, this part of the game complements the speed of the team and the gritty tenacity the Oilers possess, and needs to be played with more heart and soul. Overall, it is a fine technique that will have to be played with more poise and and aggression.
3) The defensive game, which is being worked on and will improve for the team
The third aspect is already in the works, where the team must give the goaltenders opportunities to play their game, and have less of the workload to contend with. Both goaltenders have been overworked and relentlessly tested between the pipes.
The defensive game must be utilized to the team’s advantage, where the players can put extra pressure on the opposing team and give their teammates a chance to score in the offensive zone.
The broad idea is to work the puck and compete, to create high-percentage plays and give the team a better chance at winning games. The season is far from over and the three improvements above can help the Edmonton Oilers turn things around after the poor start.