The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings are four games deep in their best-of-seven series.
First-blush impressions on deployment and strategy have now given way to a more substantial read on what each coaching staff is trying to accomplish.
What’s working for Edmonton in the heart of the game? Here’s a look.
Special teams
Entering action on Sunday night, Edmonton’s power-play success was a major factor in the team’s 2-1 lead in games.
It was the biggest factor in Game 4, as the only goal in the game came on the man advantage.
The Oilers have scored eight power-play goals, taking fewer than 20 total minutes in the game state to crush the Kings over the first four games of the series.
At the other end of the special teams spectrum, Edmonton’s penalty killers didn’t surrender a goal in just shy of 22 short-handed minutes through four games.
The first and only goal of Game 4 in Los Angeles on Sunday night came on the power play.
So far, special teams have delivered a net plus-8 in favor of Edmonton.
The usual suspects are having success on the power play, led by Connor McDavid (1-7-8), Leon Draisaitl (2-4-6), Evan Bouchard (1-3-4) and Zach Hyman (3-0- 3).
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (zero goals against in 10:25) leads the forwards in clean minutes on the penalty kill, while four defenders (Vincent Desharnais, Mattias Ekholm, Cody Ceci and Darnell Nurse) have also played significant minutes without surrendering a goal, via Natural Stat Trick.
McDavid vs. Danault and Doughty
Through three games of this year’s series, the McDavid line is hammering the combination of Phillip Danault’s line and Drew Doughty’s pairing at a tremendous rate.
One year ago, McDavid played 58 minutes against the Danault line over the entire series, winning both the goal share (1-0) and expected goal share (53 percent).
So far this playoff series, Edmonton’s captain is enjoying a 4-1 goal advantage in 25 minutes with an expected goal percentage of 78 percent.
The numbers versus Doughty has similar.
One of the tweaks made by Kris Knoblauch and his staff is running the Ekholm-Bouchard pairing with the top line. It worked well during the regular season, and so far in this year’s playoffs the totals are outstanding.
In 51 minutes together, McDavid-Bouchard is 4-2 goals and 70 percent expected goals at five-on-five.
That’s a massive advantage; the five-man unit is an innovative wrinkle by Knoblauch and his staff.
Rolling four lines and three pairings
There’s considerable evidence from the regular season showing Knoblauch doesn’t chase specific lines or pairing matches unless the Oilers are behind or in a specific (defensive) situation.
During the Kings series in the spring of 2023, coach Jay Woodcroft ran the No. 1 line heavily.
McDavid averaged 19:06 at five-on-five, with Draisaitl at 18:31 per game.
So far this spring, McDavid is averaging 16:11 and Draisaitl 15:04.
Increased playing time and double shifts may come to pass during the rest of this series, but through four games Knoblauch isn’t pushing anyone beyond what could be considered manageable minutes.
Defensive zone faceoffs
During the Oilers-Kings series one year ago, Woodcroft used veteran center Nick Bjugstad for 48 defensive-zone faceoffs. Draisaitl (30), McDavid (29) and Ryan McLeod (24) followed.
Under Knoblauch during this year’s series against the Kings, it is Draisaitl (37), McDavid (25), McLeod (14) and Sam Carrick (14) leading the way.
The Oilers are using the top-end players more often for defensive-zone faceoffs.
It’s smart deployment, and also lends itself to using McDavid most effectively.
When the captain starts in his defensive zone, and the faceoff is won, it allows Edmonton to dictate the pace on outlet passing. If Bouchard can hit McDavid on the fly entering the neutral zone, the Kings defense is instantly in trouble.
McDavid works best with more room to wheel, and can lose checkers more easily in the neutral zone.
Knoblauch appears to be using Edmonton’s best players, and best offensive players, in what is a traditionally checking (defensive zone faceoffs) situation.
Added to the improved outlet strategy (using the middle of the ice in the high slot more), the result has more clean air for McDavid and instant panic for opposition defensemen.
Attention to detail
Perhaps the most important difference between last year’s Oilers team and this one is coverage and all-out effort to suppress offense and thwart danger in the early stages.
On Sunday night, the Oilers were under attack early and often, but the shots came from the outside and Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner was not overwhelmed by a barrage of high-danger chances.
A year ago, fans and media spent the summer discussing man-to-man versus zone, specifically in regard to a Vegas Golden Knights goal scored by Zach Whitecloud.
NHL defensemen can play any style required, but attention to detail and making good decisions is key.
This year’s team, so far, is right on time to impact key moments in a positive way.
Calm defense, calm goalie
Skinner delivered the best playoff performance of his young career on Sunday night in defeating the Kings.
His defensemen kept things calm, with most of the shots coming from the outside and from range.
Skinner is a year older and more mature, and Edmonton is playing a far more structured game in this series (with some wobble in Game 2).
The result is an increasingly confident stopper and should pay off as the series with the Kings continues.
There are fewer icings, panic outlets, turnovers and low percentage plays.
The club routinely executes place and chase deep inside the Kings zone, thus delaying entry into the Edmonton end and reducing neutral zone turnovers.
Bottom line
This is a veteran team with a sophomore goaltender, ridiculous skill and a top unit that contains five skaters who work effectively as a tandem.
The attention to detail, the lack of panic, contesting every play, the discipline required to resist retaliating on late hits and high sticks was on display Sunday night. The Oilers delivered a complete game in all areas.
It’s been a long time coming.
It isn’t the most famous 1-0 victory in franchise history, but the Game 4 victory will be remembered by Oilers fans.
That’s the kind of style, effort and execution that wins the Stanley Cup.
(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
