There are a number of reasons why the Edmonton Oilers find themselves down 3–1 to the Anaheim Ducks. Poor defensive play, a seeming lack of effort, failure to get a timely save.
However, far and away the biggest factor has been special teams. Both the power play and penalty kill have stood out for Edmonton, and not in a good way. If the Oilers want any hope of winning this series, their special teams needs to improve immediately.
Let’s take a closer look at just how much special teams have cost Edmonton so far.
A toothless power play
Edmonton’s vaunted power play needs no introduction. Every hockey fan knows how effective the Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl-Evan Bouchard-Zach Hyman-Ryan Nugent-Hopkins unit is. From the 2022–23 postseason to this year’s playoffs, Edmonton’s 31.6% power play leads the league among teams with at least 10 games played. Their power play has been a massive part of their success. It often kept them in games and even kept them in series before they found their footing at 5v5. It’s almost impossible to stop the Oilers power play when they’re rolling. In fact, most teams know that they’ll need to win in other areas, because they won’t beat Edmonton five-on-four.
In this series though, the power play has been almost invisible, with just three goals in the four games played so far. The Oilers haven’t been able to find consistent success on the man advantage all series. The Bouchard point shot has largely been taken away (or not taken at all), the Draisaitl one-timer has been scouted and is largely covered.
Moreover, Edmonton has continued their developed bad habit of trying to pass the puck into the net. Too many times on the power play this series has someone seemingly had a lane, but passed out of it. It feels like the Oilers are looking for the perfect play too often, rather than just taking what the Ducks have been giving them and working from there.
The Oilers will need to convert any chances on the man-advantage in Game 5 and any games beyond that, if they want a shot at moving on this season.
Penalty kill is costing them
To say the Oilers penalty kill is currently ineffective would be like saying water is wet. Edmonton’s penalty kill has been crated to the tune of six goals against on 12 total kills, for an atrocious rating of 50% on the series so far. The chances of Edmonton giving up a PPG are currently, actually, a coinflip. Part of this is systems.
The Oilers penalty kill has been maddeningly passive, sitting back in their diamond giving Anaheim all kinds of time to pick their favourite spots to shoot from. Additionally, they’ve been incapable of clearing the net of any dangerous rebounds. In fact often times redirecting it directly to Ducks players in prime scoring positions.
Injuries have also played a role. Adam Henrique’s season seems to be over after suffering an injury in Game 2, and he was an important part of the penalty kill during last year’s playoffs as well.
Jason Dickinson missed Games 2 and 3 with an injury, and he had become a regular PKer since his arrival from Chicago. Matt Savoie and Josh Samanski are doing an admirable job as the young guys, but they’re still new NHL players and can’t be depended on to play like seasoned veterans yet.
The penalty kill cost the Oilers Game 4, as they gave up two power play goals in the second to squander a 2–0 lead. It’s been Edmonton’s biggest weakness so far this series, and if it doesn’t change in Game 5, it’ll be the reason they go home early.
Not an expected story
Coming into the series, it seemed like Edmonton would have a handy advantage in the special teams department. Their league leading power play and 20th ranked penalty kill were leagues higher than Anaheim’s 23rd ranked power play and 27th ranked penalty kill.
So far in this series, it’s been Anaheim’s special teams, particularly their power play that’s been a major advantage. Edmonton needs to flip the script and fast, or it will be a long offseason with some tough questions in Oil Country.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
