![\"Leon](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774203861_781_Leon-Draisaitl-Oilers-4-1200x800.jpg\")
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)<\/p>\nThe Edmonton Oilers experienced a remarkable transformation as they closed out the 2025-26 NHL regular season by going 7-2-2 to clinch second place in the Pacific Division. That late surge helped the Oilers secure home ice advantage in their first-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks, which gets underway on Monday (April 20) at Rogers Place.<\/p>\n
Over their final 11 games, Edmonton allowed an average of just 2.18 goals per game, tied for the third fewest in the NHL over that span. Prior to March 24, the Oilers had been giving up an average of 3.39 goals per game, fifth highest in the NHL to that point.<\/p>\n
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
Notably, this significant decrease in goals against coincides with the absence of superstar Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl<\/a>, who has been out of action since suffering a lower-body injury against the Nashville Predators on March 15.<\/p>\n The difference is actually even greater when accounting for all games that Draisaitl has missed this season: In 65 games with the forward, Edmonton allowed 3.49 goals per game; in 17 games without him, that number drops to 2.23. The Oilers are 10-5-2 in those 17 games, which includes three contests in January when Draisaitl was away from the team<\/a> for personal reasons and the final 14 games of the season that he missed after being hurt against Nashville<\/a>.<\/p>\n Naturally, Edmonton\u2019s offensive output drops without Draisaitl, although not nearly as much as one might think, from 3.48 goals per game to 3.29. All told, the Oilers are plus-1.06 goals per game without Draisaitl, compared to minus-0.01 with him.<\/p>\n Those numbers are absolutely staggering, and 17 games isn\u2019t exactly a small sample size either: it\u2019s nearly one-fifth of the season, or about five weeks\u2019 worth of games.<\/p>\n Draisaitl\u2019s Absence Forced Oilers to Focus on Defence<\/p>\n None of this is to suggest that the Oilers would be better off without him. That would be ludicrous. After all, Draisaitl is the NHL\u2019s top goal scorer over the last eight seasons combined, and ranks second to only Oilers teammate Connor McDavid<\/a> for most points in that same span.<\/p>\n But Edmonton is playing differently since Draisaitl was last in action. It\u2019s as if the Oilers realized that, without Draisaitl, they can\u2019t rely on outscoring the opposition every night and decided to focus on something they had largely ignored for most of the season: defence.<\/p>\n Of late, the Oilers have been much more structured, taking less risks and making fewer mistakes. The teamwide commitment is obvious from simply watching the Oilers, but it\u2019s also evident in the numbers: Over the last 11 games, Edmonton is averaging 22.70 hits per 60 minutes (a 26% increase from the first 71 games) and 16.24 blocks per 60 minutes (15% increase), while allowing 24.4 shots per game (10% decrease).<\/p>\n Coffey Has Helped Oilers Get Back on Track Defensively<\/p>\n It also can\u2019t be overlooked that Edmonton\u2019s improvements coincide with the return of Paul Coffey to his role as assistant coach. Coffey, who left the Oilers coaching staff following last postseason, was brought back on Feb. 18<\/a>, in an effort to address the team\u2019s woeful defensive play.<\/p>\n While it may have taken a few weeks before Coffey\u2019s impact became apparent, the Oilers are once again resembling the defensively responsible team that made consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n Oilers Can Win Cup If They Remain Committed to Defence<\/p>\n However it is that they got to this point, all that matters now for the Oilers is that they maintain this level of defensive play once Draisaitl returns. According to reports, the 30-year-old centre could be in the lineup for Game 1<\/a> against Anaheim on Monday night.<\/p>\n If the Oilers play defence like they did for the first 4-5 months of the season, then Edmonton has no chance of making a third straight championship series appearance. And without Draisaitl\u2019s firepower, the odds of Edmonton winning the Western Conference for a third consecutive postseason are slim.<\/p>\n But an Oilers team that is committed to defence while boasting the offensively explosive tandem of McDavid and Draisaitl? It just might be able to capture the Stanley Cup.<\/p>\n Free Newsletter<\/p>\n \n Get Edmonton Oilers coverage delivered to your inbox <\/p>\n In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes – free.<\/p>\n