The Oilers have had another stress-filled season with a slow start at 6-7-1, and then 8-11-1 in their last 20 games. The special teams have struggled this season, with a current power play percentage of 26.4 percent (5th place) and penalty kill of 75.6 percent (24th place, from NHL.com). These numbers are sub par for a team that has dominated the power play previously with > 30 percent efficiency. That said, we have seen signs of improvement for both PP and PK and are hopeful this will continue.
With 17 games left in the regular season at the time of writing, the hope is that Connor McDavid and Hart trophy candidate Leon Draisaitl can ramp up their game for the stretch into the first round of the playoffs. Draisaitl actually does not need to ramp up his game as he has been stellar this season despite playing with wingers that really do not belong in the top six. Full credit should be given to him for his outstanding season, with 50 goals within reach and being second in line for both the Hart and Art Ross trophies.
The trade deadline came and went and did the Oilers really deal for players that can help them? One can argue they now have defensive depth that, hopefully, will reduce the bleeding of goals to the opposition and be available in case of injuries. I worry that focus was not put on getting forwards with grit and passion to go into the tough spots around the opposition’s net to give room for Draisaitl and McDavid to do their magic.
Draisaitl has found ways to score this sason, but McDavid is either nursing an injury or saving his energy for the end of the regular season and then the playoffs. I speculate the latter, as he was so heartbroken after losing Game 7 of the Stanley cup playoffs last season. Like all great players, I think he has adjusted to how to play in the regular season in order to get ready for the playoffs, which is to not give 100 percent during the regular season but just enough effort to help the team win games.
Oilers need more from Connor McDavid
We know McDavid can ramp up his energy and passion for games and that was clearly evident in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, an awesome display for the NHL and amazing play by the Oilers superstar on the big stage. We all know he has passion and energy and fans need to see that more than ever in order for the Oilers to have post-season success.
McDavid stepping up his game, offensively and defensively, will inspire the team to do better, especially Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers need the offensive support network to Draisaitl and McDavid to step up also, play to the level they can and help them be like the playoff team they were last season. The 5-4 win against the Dallas StaRyans on Mar. 8 clearly displayed the level of play that can be achieved.
The Oilers will have strong post-season opponents this season, as most of the teams ahead of them in the standings have acquired skill players at the deadline. Those teams also have better goaltending tandems and most have a better defensive core than the one in Edmonton.
That said, the Oilers coaches trained and built a winning formula last season and need to find a way to bring that grit and desire to this current team and make them “BELIEVE” again. I am hopeful for the “belief” to start again and a lot of it rests on the shoulders of McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins and Stuart Skinner.
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