After consecutive Stanley Cup Final losses, the Edmonton Oilers finally look to get over the hump and bring the Cup north of the border for the first time since 1993. To do that, they need players to step up and be key contributors. The Oilers have two hometown kids who have the potential to be difference-makers and important pieces during their quest.
Matt Savoie and Colton Dach are two completely different players with different skill sets, but they are equally important to the team’s success. They also both grew up in St. Albert, Alberta, just outside of Edmonton.
Savoie played his minor hockey with the St. Albert Sabres under-15 AAA team before playing for the Northern Alberta under-15 prep team. Then, he played for the Winnipeg Ice, Wenatchee Wild, and Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in July 2024, and he’s a massive part of the Oilers’ future.
During Edmonton’s postgame media availability on April 16 against the Vancouver Canucks, Savoie was asked about playing playoff hockey for the team he grew up cheering for. “It’s going to be really special. I came to a lot of games when I was young and was a big fan for a few runs. I would watch every game. I know how excited the city gets, and I’m really excited for it.”
Dach played his minor hockey for the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers under-15 AAA team before playing for an under-15 Edmonton prep team. Then he played for the Saskatoon Blades, Kelowna Rockets, and Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. He also represented Canada at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships.
Savoie is 22 years old, and Dach is 23, and these local boys have the potential to be impactful players in the Oilers’ playoff run. They each bring something unique to the table, and they are playing great hockey at the perfect time.
Savoie’s Offence Has Come Around
Savoie is a smart player and has become an important penalty killer, leading Edmonton’s forward group in shorthanded ice time with 132:01. He learned the defensive side of the game first but has finally figured out the offensive side. He flipped a switch after the Olympic break, registering nine goals and 19 points since the NHL returned to play. He has 37 points this season, but 19 of them came in the last 24 games.
He has been elevated to the top line and has quickly learned how to play with Connor McDavid, and that duo has developed chemistry. Savoie is a speedster and can keep up with McDavid’s pace while also finding the open areas. He gets to those spots, and McDavid gives him the puck. That was evident in the Oilers’ season finale. He scored a hat trick, but all three goals were from the same place. He found a soft spot beside the net, and on two occasions, McDavid threaded a pass through, and he made no mistake, with Evan Bouchard finding him on his first goal.
“I think in junior, playing with the puck on your stick the whole time, and even last year in the American League, I had the puck on my stick a lot. Coming here the first few months of the season, you have to adapt and adjust, but I think the game has slowed down for me a little bit. I’m playing with the puck more, and I feel more confident with it,” Savoie stated during his postgame media availability after the win against Vancouver.
Savoie’s offence has come around at the right time, and hopefully that continues in the playoffs. He can be a difference-maker on the top line with McDavid and Zach Hyman.
Dach Has Playoff Intangibles
While his name won’t always appear on the scoresheet, Dach can impact the game in other ways. His play style is built for the playoffs, which should get Oilers fans excited. He’s a physical force who hits everything that moves. He’s 14th in the league in hits with 219 and has done that in only 61 games. He has played the fewest games among the top 15 and has averaged 3.5 hits per game. Since being acquired at the trade deadline, he has 30 hits in eight games with Edmonton, and that should only get ramped up in the postseason.
He can be an impact player in the playoffs because his physicality will take its toll on their opponents during a seven-game series. The 2021 second-round pick isn’t afraid to drop the gloves and stick up for his teammates. That toughness is a valuable asset. It shows that the Oilers won’t be pushed around. He’s the perfect role player and can still make his mark in limited ice time.
Edmonton Oilers forward Colton Dach (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
On top of the physicality, he also plays a simple game. He chips pucks in deep and forechecks hard, forcing turnovers. Then, he uses his 6-foot-4, 218-pound frame to protect the puck in the corners and cycle the puck effectively. He also goes hard to the net, which the Oilers need more of. He has two goals and four points in eight games since joining Edmonton. In the playoffs, offence is created by throwing pucks on net and causing chaos in front of the goaltender, which Dach excels at.
We got a glimpse of what he can provide in the playoffs during Edmonton’s final game. He had one goal, one assist, one fight, one shot, four hits, and two blocked shots in 13:42 of ice time. He showed offensive flair when he made a nifty move around the defender to set up the first goal, and he was able to find a soft spot in tight and bury his chance. The Oilers require more offensive production from the depth players, and Dach has an offensive skill set that’s lacking in the bottom six.
Dach has five goals this season, while Mattias Janmark had one in 43 games before his season-ending injury. Meanwhile, Adam Henrique has two goals, Trent Frederic has four, and Curtis Lazar has four. Dach has been more productive and brings many intangibles to this lineup.
The Oilers begin their quest for Lord Stanley on Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks. Keep following The Hockey Writers for all your NHL content throughout the playoffs.
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