McDavid and Draisaitl are the best in the NHL and curtailing time on ice for either is overthinking things to an extreme degree. The third and fourth lines in Edmonton can’t be feature lines. The Oilers enjoyed outscoring lines last season across the depth chart, with only solo Draisaitl (48 percent) representing a dragon outscoring. Edmonton’s greatest strengths are the two impact centres, and a complementary third line ( Ryan McLeod as pivot) is the correct course of action.Ī designated fourth line that can outscore at even strength is wise. If the Oilers sit McDavid and Draisaitl in favour of a pure shot suppression checking line the Oilers would be hurting their chances of victory. The second solution is structuring a fourth line that can play tough opponents, similar to the formidable fourth line deployed by Vegas (centred by Nicolas Roy with William Carrier and Keegan Kolesar on the wings). To argue that a change in defensive structure is the solution discounts the limitation of Woodcroft’s forces, and the ability of Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy to reset on the fly. They are some of the greatest players in the game’s history.īecause of it, the team is correctly built on scoring goals, and when necessary, outscoring mistakes.Ĭoach Jay Woodcroft can fairly be criticized for not adjusting quickly enough in the series, for not seeing what the Golden Knights were doing effectively. The Oilers on defence have quality but lack an impact player of McDavid’s stature at the position.Įdmonton’s strength is the two exceptional top-end forwards. Both styles can be in use during a long season, but the personnel who are slow to recognize danger in man-to-man are likely to also struggle with zone coverage.Įxecution remains the key. The issue is recognizing danger in time and adjusting. As appealing as the solution may sound, it isn’t that simple. One area surrounds changing from man-to-man to zone coverage defensively. This summer, fans have suggested a couple of solutions to perceived issues. However, the benefits of his presence remain, and Ceci’s improved health added to another year of experience for Bouchard, Philip Broberg and Vincent Desharnais will improve the defence. That’s unlikely Ekholm arrived and the team went on an extreme heater. In those four seasons, Edmonton made the playoffs three times and won at least one round on each occasion. The team has managed it four times in eight seasons. The numbers since McDavid arrived suggest the Oilers, as currently constructed, require north of 30 shots per 60 overall to make the playoffs and have an impact in the postseason. Will this team win it? There is no guarantee. It’s time to state the facts: The Oilers will win the Stanley Cup if Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remain healthy and the club can remain in this window of high quality over the next few seasons. Sins by management (cap issues, dealing off assets for less than 100 cents on the dollar) and coaching staff (slow to react to the rising Jack Eichel line) have been argued to the moon and back again. The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Oilers in the spring courtesy of a strong set of four lines and three pairings, a bizarre turn (an injury to their starting goaltender) and two penalties taken by Edmonton in short order that turned the series on a dime. There are factors outside the control of the team, like injuries, regression and another team finding a way to win a short series.
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