What was once one of the most lethal (feared) power plays across the NHL has seemed to hit a bit of a dry spell in the last two seasons. I’ll be taking an inside look at the last five Edmonton Oilers seasons and comparing the lines, numbers and the season percentages.
In previous seasons, the Oilers were considered a power play team that couldn’t win games unless they got opportunities on the man-advantage. And there were a few players (mainly Leon Draisaitl) that were considered power play merchants that didn’t produce at even strength. This stereotype has slowly dropped off and been proven wrong, with the Oilers 5v5 production making up for it.
Comparing the line combinations
Since the 2020–21 season, the Oilers first power play lineup has pretty well stayed the same, other than a few forward and defence changes.
2021
Draisaitl – McDavid – Nugent-Hopkins
Chiasson – Barrie
2022
Draisaitl – McDavid – Nugent-Hopkins
Hyman – Barrie
2023
Draisaitl – McDavid – Nugent-Hopkins
Hyman – Barrie
2024
Draisaitl – McDavid – Nugent-Hopkins
Hyman – Bouchard
2025
Draisaitl – McDavid – Nugent-Hopkins
Hyman – Bouchard
There are three guys on this list that have been key pieces to the Oilers top unit; Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Having arguably the top two players in the NHL is pretty self explanatory when asking why these guys? With the numbers they’re able to put up night in and night out, it’s no wonder these two are clear choices for the top line.
The Oilers have the extra firepower and net front presence
Who brings more firepower to this first line you ask? I can think of two guys, Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. In 14 career NHL seasons (939 games) having put up 267 goals and 469 assists for a total of 736 points,
Nugent-Hopkins is a player that is bound to bring some speed, skill, and offence to the Oilers power play. That’s exactly what he has done. Nugent-Hopkins has put up 287 power play points, with 138 of those being put up over the last five seasons. That’s definitely more than enough for a lethal power play line right?
A power play needs a big body in front of the net, and that is something that Hyman is able to bring for every man advantage that the Oilers get. Being a part of this top power play over the last four seasons, Hyman has been able to produce 67 power play points. He has 78 total in his NHL career. Hyman is able to screen the goalie with his size, and has shown us that he is very good at putting pucks into the net.
Edmonton also has blueline power
What makes a power play dangerous and consistent? Shots from the point. Tyson Barrie spent all three of his Oilers seasons being a big part of their top power play unit. Barrie was able to put up 20+ power play points. That alone brings more than enough to create a dangerous power play.
The term we all know and love: Bouch Bomb. Evan Bouchard, the Oilers newest power play star has been able to bring shots and slapshots, not seen before. Over the last two seasons on the Oilers top unit, Bouchard has been able to generate eight goals and 52 points. He has yet to score on the power play this season, but I know from what we saw last year, that the Bouch Bomb is bound to hit the mesh and light the lamp.
Power play season percentages
From 2021 to 2023 the Oilers managed to have a top three power play by the end of each of those seasons.
2021: First in NHL at 27.6%
2022: Third in NHL at 26.0%
2023: First in NHL at 32.4% (best in NHL history)
2024: Fourth in NHL at 26.3%
2025: Seventh in NHL at 25.2% (current season)
There has been quite a drop in the Oilers power play ranking and percentage league-wide over these past two seasons. From having the top power play in the NHL to the best power play in NHL history, now having the seventh best power play.
What changed for Edmonton’s power play?
In previous seasons the Oilers were able to create formations and find lanes to get shots on the net. They were able to cycle and move the puck so well and efficiently that the other teams didn’t know what to do or how to stop them.
Now it seems like the Oilers have lost those lanes, and some of their players are too stationary and are trying to force passes too often.
Other NHL teams started to review the Oilers’ power play to look at how they can limit their chances and cover the open lanes. This seems to have worked quite well, as the Oilers have gotten fewer shots on net and more of their players now have a man on them as soon as, or before they touch the puck.
GF/60 SF/60
2021: 10.1 60.13
2022: 9.21 63.34
2023: 12.72 65.93
2024: 10.48 60.25
2025: 8.69 53.89
With some of the Oilers players moving less and being more stationary when on the power play, they are creating opportunities for the opposing player to be on them right away instead of being able to set up an opportunity to score. That leads to less time with the puck and less time for it to be passed, which is why some of the passes on the power play are being forced a lot more.
The more shots that the Oilers can get on the net, and the more chances that they are able to generate when on the power play, chances are that the rubber is going to somehow, someway find its way into the back of the net.
Additional pieces to improve the power play
Are there any pieces available that the Oilers could add that would boost their power play? With the NHL trade deadline coming up on March 7, there may be a few players that the Oilers could look at adding.
I’ve already heard from a couple pod episodes that if the option is available, the Oilers may consider trying to pickup Mikko Rantanen at the deadline. Having just been traded from Colorado to Carolina, Ratanen has 70 points in 60 games this season and has struggled in Carolina putting up only six points in 11 games. Having this calibre of player would instantly boost the Oilers power play and on paper would be one of, if not the best in the NHL.
Another skilled forward that the Oilers could look at is Ryan Donato. With the Chicago Blackhawks (who are 31st in the NHL) Donato is already having a career year with 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points in 58 games. With 11 power play points this season, Donato would bring some skill and speed to the Oilers second power play line and would help generate some quality chances as well.
Is Rantanen a possible pickup? Do the Blackhawks want to give up a young player in Donato? That is all “to be determined” but definitely not impossible. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
