DUD - Penalty Kill
For much of last season and throughout the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers were dominant when it came to killing penalties. Their success on the penalty kill was a testament to their commitment on defense and their ability to lock down opponents when playing shorthanded. This strength was a key factor in the team’s ability to stay competitive and push deep into the postseason. However, this season has been a different story, as the Oilers have struggled significantly in this area, giving up a worrying number of goals on the penalty kill.
The Oilers’ issues on the penalty kill have been glaring in the early part of the season and must be resolved quickly if they hope to stay in the hunt for the Stanley Cup. Opponents have been able to exploit gaps in Edmonton’s penalty-killing unit, and the team has lacked the same level of defensive organization that helped them excel last year. Whether it's a breakdown in communication or players being out of position, the Oilers' penalty kill has become a glaring weakness that other teams are looking to exploit.
A major factor in this decline could be the absence of two key defensemen, Cody Ceci and Vincent Desharnais, who logged significant minutes on the penalty kill last season. Both players were instrumental in shutting down opposing power plays, and their departure has left a noticeable gap on the blue line. The Oilers have yet to find a consistent replacement for the defensive presence these two brought, and it appears the team is still adjusting to life without them.
For Edmonton to resolve their penalty-killing woes, they will need to make defensive adjustments and rely on other players to step up and fill the void. The Oilers cannot afford to continue struggling in this area if they hope to compete for the Stanley Cup this season. Fixing the penalty kill must be a top priority moving forward.