3 Things The Edmonton Oilers Need To Do During Mini-Break

EDMONTON, CANADA - NOVEMBER 28: Leon Draisaitl #29, Ryan McLeod #71, Derek Ryan #10, Warren Foegele #37 and Mattias Janmark #13 of the Edmonton Oilers honour NHL Fight for Cancer before the game against the Las Vegas Golden Knightson November 28, 2023 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Lawrence Scott/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, CANADA - NOVEMBER 28: Leon Draisaitl #29, Ryan McLeod #71, Derek Ryan #10, Warren Foegele #37 and Mattias Janmark #13 of the Edmonton Oilers honour NHL Fight for Cancer before the game against the Las Vegas Golden Knightson November 28, 2023 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Lawrence Scott/Getty Images)
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Edmonton Oilers Darnell Nurse
EDMONTON, CANADA – NOVEMBER 15: Darnell Nurse #25 and Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers battle for the puck with Jaden Schwartz #17 of the Seattle Kraken in the first period at Rogers Place on November 15, 2023, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Lawrence Scott/Getty Images)

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.

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.