The Edmonton Oilers power play needs to improve to help a team which has only amassed 24 points through 22 games this season. Their power play has just a 15.8 percent efficiency, which is ranked a lowly 27th in the league.
The top two power play units, particularly the first line, have relied heavily on a strategy of crowding the net while a puck carrier circles the zone searching for an opening, a tactic that often becomes frustrating to watch.
Edmonton's power play needs improvement
The central focus for the Oilers should be to get more men open in the offensive zone as they circulate the puck and shuffle along the boards, including getting more shots to the net. The most essential part would be to pass the puck efficiently, but solid shots on goal would also be crucial.
The need is to be more accurate with the shooting instead of passing it around and trying to pass the puck into the net, the Oilers need to work on getting more "ugly" goals. Another issue is the lack of movement. This is an easy fix though, getting the players to move around the zone to confuse the defense would be another aspect for the Edmonton coaching staff.
This team needs drastic improvement regarding the powerplay; a complete overhaul may be the answer, or another shuffling of the lines. When it comes to the offense of the Oilers, that, too, needs to get going for the team to come together and start winning games in an orderly fashion.
A solution to the powerplay woes of the Oilers
When speaking of an overhaul, the first solution to the theory would be to demote the struggling Zach Hyman and place a player such as Vasily Podkolzin, who is coming on his own as of late.
Hyman is still a good-quality forward and will pick up his game eventually. However, the best bet is to let him find his game on his own and get comfortable on the ice again. Taking away ice time for players is not always a good coaching technique, but it may do the trick if he continues to struggle.
Keeping the structure on the blue line with Evan Bouchard quarterbacking the powerplay is something you don't need to change. He is by far the most offensive defenseman the Oilers have, but if the struggles continue then perhaps placing either Nurse or Ekholm there may be the next move.
The team is currently in a bind, and the best solution to any team's problem would be for the coaching staff to lead the way.