The Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of a first-round exit, and the problems on the ice start behind the bench. Kris Knoblauch’s coaching adjustments in Game 5 made a noticeable impact, but more are still needed.
The Oilers were the heavy favourite to claim the first round series against Anaheim. However, three consecutive losses to the Ducks has Edmonton on the brink of playoff elimination. Blame can be spread across the roster, but it starts behind the bench.
Through four games, there were minimal lineup changes, pointing to hesitation from the coaching staff. No big changes were made until Game 5 other than Tristan Jarry starting in Game 4 and sitting Connor Ingram. That directly points to indecision or refusal to pivot from the coaching staff.
While the Oilers have been outplayed in two of the five games, there are silver linings within the roster. They aren’t being utilized to their full potential. Anaheim is exploiting the fractures in the Oilers play and Knoblauch’s refusal to adjust defensively could cost Edmonton their season.
Defence needs to be restructured
The Oilers aren’t just allowing shots, they’re allowing volume and quality. The defensive structure hasn’t adjusted, and they’ve been consistently exposed. Anaheim has registered 131 shots against the Oilers. While both teams have blocked 65 shots in four games, the Oilers are bleeding high-danger chances.
The top pairing of Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm sits at -1, yet continues to see the most ice time among Oilers defencemen. That usage hasn’t matched performance. Bouchard has a team-worst 10 turnovers, seven of which have led to Grade A chances, and three to goals against. Despite that, the pairing has remained unchanged throughout the series.
Darnell Nurse is a surprising +4. While he has yet to register a point, he has been the most sound and solid defenceman. Nurse has been the most “puck-safe” of the defencemen. He has been able to keep the puck even while hounded by Anaheim’s first or second line. While Nurse faced a large amount of criticism throughout the regular season, he has become a a defensive pillar that stabilizes the blue line and manages entry into the defensive zone. There was an unlucky bounce off of Nurse’s skate which led to the controversial overtime call in Game 4, but overall, Nurse has been excellent.
Although Game 5 had solid overall defence, changes need to be made. Looking at the stats of the previous games, without a change, the same problems that defined this series will carry into Game 6.
Knoblauch made the right offensive choices
A previous article called out Knoblauch’s rigidity and refusal to change things. While the defensive pairings were familiar ones, the offence was juggled, and the Oilers were better for it.
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Kasperi Kapanen started the game together, and their chemistry was immediate and electric. McDavid may have been a game-time decision, but he played much closer to the level that is expected. Kapanen did not register a point, but Anaheim was unable to reel in the top line of Game 5, which is the change the Oilers needed.
While that line was short-lived and Knoblauch went back to McDavid, Matthew Savoie, and Zach Hyman, the change to the top line made an impact early on. That line helped seal the critical win. If Knoblauch continues to look at the gametape and creates line combinations to shut down and overpower the young Ducks, then there is a strong possibility the Oilers push it to seven games.
It comes down to coaching
Knoblauch was put behind the bench for a reason. He’s maintained his position, even with criticism, because of the team’s success. It could be argued that the team has succeeded because of the leadership of the players, but Knoblauch has been a clear part of it.
In that sense, the Oilers’ struggles this postseason also fall on Knoblauch. The first four games didn’t just show the cracks in the Oilers play, they were a roadmap for the Ducks to take advantage of a coach that refused to make changes and keep players accountable.
But something changed. It could be a harsher coaching style behind closed doors, but there was clearly more passion radiating from behind the bench. Lines need to perform. If they don’t, the coach can’t have a fragile ego and continue to stick with what isn’t working.
The Oilers have another chance to keep their season alive. It doesn’t just come down to their superstars or further down the lineup to find success, it comes down to the coach. Knoblauch needs to study the gametape of the Ducks and create a battleplan to thwart their offence. If the lines don’t work, be flexible enough to change them.
The Oilers have enough talent on the roster to push back, and they have a coach who has made the right calls in the past. It is time for Knoblauch to be that man once again and help the Oilers avoid an early exit. It isn’t just the season that is on the line with Game 6, it is also most likely Knoblauch’s job. But the coach earned some good faith with his decisions in Game 4, so fans can buckle in for another anxiety-inducing game in California.
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