Over the past handful of seasons, the general guiding principle for coaches building the lines for the Edmonton Oilers is finding ways to keep Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl separated. We know the two of them are god-like when together, but the team is so much better and deeper when they can play the two on separate lines.
So it sort have become the most telling sign in recent years of the mood and feelings within the team. We know that as soon as the two of them are on the same line to start a game, someone has hit the panic button trying to jump start anything on the team when it seems like nothing else is working.
Heading into yesterday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers after an incredibly difficult and disappointing start, we saw the line blender in full effect with the apparent panic button push as McDavid and Draisaitl began the game on each other’s line.
How did the McDrai boost fare?
They started flat, they found themselves down early on off of yet another controversial goalie interference call and an undisciplined penalty from Corey Perry shortly after led to another powerplay goal against given up.
And this was the general trend for most of the game.
But by the middle of the third period, things started turning and the energy shifted. McDavid and Draisaitl, along with the rest of the top-line players, started clicking by the end and ultimately scored the tying and overtime-winning goals.
Should we be concerned with the panic button being pushed this soon?
Look, it makes sense that a coach would return to this line when in need of a jump start to the lineup. The whole team has been flat and the start of this game did nothing to change that tune. Historically, the combination of McDavid and Draisaitl is nearly unbeatable and is still the go-to late in games when needing a goal.
But returning to this duo from opening puck drop has recently been the sign of a coaching staff in panic mode trying to hit the easy button and fix the team’s woes quickly. It misses the mark on long-term sustainability though. And just four games into an 82-game season, the long-term play of building the lines and chemistry can still apply.
The Oilers underwent a significant roster change over the offseason. Even though the core all returned, a lot of the bottom half of the lineup is new players. Notably, new players of a different player type. The Oilers lost a lot of speed and youth at forward while adding age.
So far, no line has been given a chance to adjust and build chemistry with each other. Every game the line blender has been broken out. In four games, the player assumed to be the second-pairing right defender (Ty Emberson) has had a different role in the lineup every single game. The forwards have been jumbled around every game as well.
There has been no time to build any chemistry and momentum with linemates or new teammates.
The only one that has worked out so far is the combination of Jeff Skinner – Adam Henrique – Connor Brown, that was by far the best forward line against the Flyers and was a major contributor of team offence.
Now that the team found success with McDavid and Draisaitl reunited, do they continue with that since it worked at the expense of the rest of the offensive depth? Or do they hope the two have found their game and can carry it over onto separate lines again?
Where are the Oilers right now?
Heading into this game, the Oilers were running the risk of going winless in their first four games for the seventh time in franchise history. Not ideal. And for most of the game, it looked like they were going to make it seven.
But, the final half of the third period looked to have a spark. Troy Stecher and Perry got into their own fights and the team started to gel a bit more, to find some of their swagger. And sure enough, shortly afterwards they had a late tying goal that featured some more familiar top-tier playmaking.
In standard Oilers fashion, McDavid and Draisaitl connected again in overtime to score their first La Bamba of the 2024–25 season.
With how poorly their actual stats compare to their advanced stats, in a similar fashion to last season, this is bound to turn around fully soon. They just might need a little bit of chemistry and familiarity to develop first.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
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