After the Edmonton Oilers horrendous Game 1 performance, everyone knew that they had to be better going into Game 2. Similar to the 2022 playoffs, Leon Draisaitl got injured and impacted his ability to play centre in an efficient and effective way. It led to a lot of speculation online if Edmonton should consider reuniting the dynamic duo in Connor McDavid and Draisaitl together to become an unstoppable offensive force. If you recall, both of the Draisaitl and McDavid lines got caved in 5v5 in Game 1. They needed both of them to be better to have a shot of evening this series going back to Edmonton. So what happened?
What analytics say about the new lines
The fans were right. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch decided to put Draisaitl back on McDavid’s wing, while Adam Henrique returned to the lineup on Ryan Nugent-Hopkin’s left side. The defence was left untouched. Before we get into the dominant performance of 29 and 97, let’s look into how the other three forward lines fared.
For starters, the Oilers outplayed the Vancouver Canucks 5v5. Almost doubling the Canucks xG, the Oilers finally had a good showing 5v5 since Game 3 against L.A., something they desperately needed to do. Now sure, while majority of the xG came from the top line of Draisaitl-McDavid-Hyman, the other lines carried play pretty effectively even if some of their chances weren’t the best.
Case in point, the RNH line with Evander Kane and Warren Foegele were around the 70% xG mark. While they didn’t play a lot, having two forecheckers next to RNH allowed that line to create some offensive pressure and did at times hem the Canucks into the zone. I’d like to see some offence from them next game since McDavid’s line can’t always be relied upon, but it’s good to see them have a decent showing.
The fourth line with the young speedy Dylan Holloway, the sound Derek Ryan, and however you want to classify Mattias Janmark, all carried a xG% at 100 when they were out there. With the Ryan line, they was out there for 0.18 xG which is usually really bad. However, they were out there for 0 xG against. When they were out there, they were incredible defensively. That’s what you like to see out of your fourth line. If they can continue that defensive play while chipping in a goal here and there, that would be super beneficial for the Oilers.
The Ryan McLeod line was rough however. It’s quite evident that Corey Perry’s foot speed has been a problem against the Canucks. If possible, I’d like to see him and Holloway switch places, as McLeod and Holloway have developed chemistry in the past, and Perry’s game is definitely best suited on the fourth line.
The real story of course was McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman and the stud defensive pair of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard. Let’s talk about Ekholm-Bouchard real quick.
Success also found in defensive pairing of Ekholm and Bouchard
The elite pair of Ekholm and Bouchard controlled almost 90% of the xG in the game. Incredible. In back-to-back games this postseason, Ekholm scored a goal while Bouchard, with a little luck, scored the OT goal to tie up the series. I still do not get the hate Bouchard gets. Sure, he has some defensive issues, but he’s an elite offensive guy who can play decently well in his own zone from time to time. Per NaturalStatTrick, Ekholm put up a xGF% of 88.32 5v5 while Bouchard posted a 81.86 xGF%. Incredible numbers.
Draisaitl and McDavid stole the show though as they typically do. Both collecting a point on each goal scored. This game reminded me of Game 2 against Calgary where the Flames could not contain these two playing together. Both these series featured an injured Draisaitl and both involve the Oilers playing against a Canadian rival who won the division. Hmmm. On the ice, these two dominated with a 92 xGF% on a line with Hyman, and even individually with each player posting an individual xGF% above 81 according to NST. I expect a similar performance from this line on Sunday and I don’t think the Canucks have the system to stop them. They’re on a mission to win it.
Sadly, Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci were still liabilities. Sure, they were better than in Game 1, which really isn’t the highest bar to reach, but my gosh. A putrid xG% of 15 according to MoneyPuck and both individually are at a sub 25% according to NaturalStatTrick. This pair is killing the Oilers, as they have been the last three years. A change is sorely needed here come October.
How to take Game 3
Game 2 was a good one for the boys. They looked a lot more fresh than they did for Game 1. Now, they come back home to the rocking Rogers Place for an exciting Game 3. They got the home ice advantage. While a split would be nice, let’s all hope the Oilers take both games at home here to take a strangle hold of the series, going up 3-1 heading into Vancouver for Game 5.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
