Game Day 16: Oilers vs Avs
There are no shortage of questions about the Edmonton Oilers. Right now fans and commentators are questioning the goalies, the d-men and the forward lines, the star players and the role players, the new contracts and the old contracts, the coaches, the GM and the schedule.
But one thing about the team remains as right as right can be.
The long-time lethal power play of the Edmonton Oilers has rarely been so deadly as it is right now. In the first 15 games of 2025-26 season, the Oilers are creating 1.77 Grade A shots per two minute power play. This represents peak performance for the group, which has scored on 35 per cent of its power plays, good for second best in the NHL, behind only Pittsburgh.
The highest Grade A shot rate for a full season during his historic 2019-to-present day run of this power play was the 2022-23 season, when it average 1.43 Grade A shots per two minute power play.
Last year it was down a quart to 1.18 Grade A shots per 2, so the new heights of 1.77 per 2 is refreshing.
It’s also necessary given the mediocre performance of the team in 5-on-5 play to date. The Oilers have just 150 Grade A shots at even strength compared to 165 against.
But on the power play, Edmonton has created 53 Grade A shots compared to the opposition with 31 against the Oilers.
PP 15 games
RNH rocking like never before
Leading the way individually on the power play are Connor McDavid with ten points and Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with nine each.
McDavid and Draisaitl have long been killers on the power play, but RNH has raised his level so far this year. With his slick passes, sneaky fast shot and battles won, RNH is chipping in on 1.23 Grade A shots per two minutes power play, up from 0.53 per 2 last season and 0.66 per 2 the season before.
McDavid has also raised his level of execution, going from 1.06 major contributions to Grade A shots per two last year to 1.47 per 2 this year. Evan Bouchard — save for some ugly blueline misplays leading to a few shortie goals against — has also increased his power play lethality.
power play
David Tomasek did good work on the power play in the absence of Corey Perry and Zach Hyman, but Jack Roslovic has been red shot since taking over that job. Last year Perry worked his way on to the top power play unit over Hyman, and Roslovic may well hold that job down for weeks if not months to come.
He provides a dangerous presence in the high slot with his quick and dangerous shots and clever passes. It’s like having a second RNH on the power play.
Morning skate
This in from Bob Stauffer of the Oilers, Leon Draisaitl bumped up to the top line with McDavid and Roslovic.
Draisaitl-McDavid-Roslovic
Podkolzin-RNH-Mangiapane
Henrique-Philp-Frederic
Howard-Tomasek-Savoie
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Regula
Kulak-Walman
Skinner
At even strength so far this year McDavid and Draisaitl have scored at a historically low rate this year, but they’ve been getting their Grade A shots. The goals will come, maybe starting tonight.
Roslovic may well mesh with them, as he doesn’t appear to be over-awed playing with superstars, but is keen to work his own magic with the puck. How the line does defensively will be the big question against the Avs. They can light it up but can they lock it down?
I prefer McD and Drai on the same line, as I think this is the best defensive formation for the Oilers, with McDavid at centre and Draisaitl on the wing.
RNH has become a top defensive centre, after years of struggling in that role, so I prefer him leading his own line.
I wonder if the Oilers will go McDavid line vs MacKinnon line, or put out RNH against MacKinnon. That would be my preference. RNH is a Selke candidate with his defensive play and he’s ready for this kind of challenge.
McDavid Draisaitl 15 games
At the Cult of Hockey
STAPLES: Rookie-palooza! Edmonton Oilers give major boost in line-up to two rookies
STAPLES: Is there an obvious solution to fix the Edmonton Oilers? Bring back Paul Coffey?
STAPLES: ‘Sometimes you have to coach’: Knoblauch prodded to cut ice time of Oilers superstars