3 Things The Edmonton Oilers Need To Do During Mini-Break
The Edmonton Oilers have been on a roll lately, winning 3 games in a row. However, they now have five days off without playing a game, which could potentially disrupt their momentum.
The Edmonton Oilers don’t play again till Wednesday when the Carolina Hurricanes are in town. After that, they play another 5 games at home. This makes for a 6 game homestand, which means the team will be in Edmonton till they play the New York Islanders on December 19th.
Hopefully, the Edmonton Oilers don’t hit a skid during this time as they were playing their best hockey before this break. Despite this, there are still things that they can work on during this break. Here are three key areas that the Oilers need to focus on during their mini-break.
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Rest and Recovery
The NHL season is a gruelling one, with teams playing 82 games over just seven months. This schedule can take a toll on players, both physically and mentally. With five days off, the Oilers can take some time to rest and recuperate.
Rest is crucial for players to recover from the physical toll of playing so many games in a short period of time. By taking a few days off, the Oilers can give their bodies a chance to recover, which will be crucial for their performance later in the season. This could involve taking a few days off from the ice or simply reducing the intensity of their training sessions during this time.
There have already been a few players that have been injured this season. They may be back in the lineup, but any bit of rest can take an 85% healthy player to a 100% healthy player. When it comes to players like Connor McDavid an extra 15% could mean a lot.
Along with physical rest, mental rest is also important for players. The constant pressure of performing at a high level can be mentally exhausting, and players need to take time to recharge their batteries. This could involve spending time with family and friends or simply relaxing at home.
Edmonton Oilers Defensive Play
While the Oilers have been scoring lots of goals lately, they have also been giving up a lot of goals. In fact, they have allowed an average of 3.59 goals per game this season, which is the 5th highest in the league. This is a concern for the team, as they will need to tighten up defensively if they want to compete for a playoff spot.
During this break, the Oilers need to focus on their defensive play. This could involve working on their positioning, their communication on the ice, and their overall defensive strategy. They may also need to work on their penalty-killing, although it has been much better than early on in the season.
There are several ways that the Oilers can work on their defensive play during this break. They could watch films of their recent games to identify areas for improvement, they could work on specific drills in practice, or they could simply spend time discussing their defensive strategy as a team.
It is the first large break since the new coaching staff has come in. There is a chance to bring in and learn a brand new system during this time off.
Bond With New Coaching Staff
The Edmonton Oilers have had a five-day break in their schedule, which could be a great opportunity for the players and new coaching staff to bond closer. With the start of the NHL season, the Oilers have had a mixed start, winning two games and losing two. The team has undergone a significant change early on in the season, with a new coaching staff. This break could be a perfect chance for everyone to get on the same page.
During the break, the players and coaching staff can take the time to work on their communication and teamwork. They can analyze the games played so far and discuss areas that need improvement. The players can also use the time to get to know their new coaching staff better. Building relationships and trust is critical in any team, and this break could help the Oilers do just that.
The coaching staff can also take this time to implement any new strategies or techniques they have been working on. With a new coaching staff, the players must understand their coach’s expectations and style of play. The players can use this break to work on any new systems and plays that the coaches have introduced.
Next. Former Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft may end up with the Senators. dark
Conclusion
While having five days off without playing a game may not be ideal for the Edmonton Oilers, it does allow them to rest, regroup, and work on areas for improvement. By focusing on rest and recovery, defensive play, and special teams, the Oilers can use this break to their advantage and come back stronger when they return to the ice.