The Edmonton Oilers scored 13 goals in two games, and in five of six periods, they dominated the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. It is a very small sample size, but the systemic changes Knoblauch made had the Oilers playing with better puck support, more pace, fewer stretch passes, and they were less reliant on loading up Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

It is only two games, but the early results looked very promising.

The Oilers roster has more talent than most teams. The regular season can be long, when your main focus is winning the Stanley Cup. The Oilers weren’t losing solely due to their systemic decisions. Individual players made some poor decisions with the puck, while others have struggled with consistency. The first 60 games ultimately won’t matter much when the playoffs begin on April 18th, but certain aspects of how they play will impact playoff success or failure.

The Oilers crushed the Los Angeles Kings 8-1 last night. They controlled the full game, similar to the first 40 minutes in Anaheim. They were quicker to pucks, had better gaps from defencemen to forwards, which led to better support and easier breakouts, quicker transitions and more efficient cycling in the offensive zone. They played poised and handed the Kings their fifth consecutive loss. The way the Kings are playing, it looks doubtful they and Edmonton will meet in the playoffs five years in a row.

The most noticeable change for me was how little McDavid and Draisaitl played together at 5×5. It is only two games — and I know they will play together at times — but I’ve long argued the Oilers are better the more they play away from each other at 5×5.

PLAYERS	TOI	SF-SA	GF-GA
McDavid & Draisaitl	0:18	0	0-0
McDavid w/o Draisaitl	30:01	16-15	4-2
Draisaitl w/o McDavid	27:54	19-10	3-3
Without either on ice	43:04	23-13	3-1

McDavid and Draisaitl only skated 18 seconds together at 5×5 the past two games. They did log 6:43 together on the power play and with the goalie pulled, but overall, Knoblauch kept them apart. Draisaitl’s line was very good, outshooting the opposition 19-10, and he was on the ice for a few of Jarry’s soft goals allowed which makes his GF-GA even. Their lines played almost identical minutes with McDavid playing 30 minutes and Draisaitl 27:54.

The other key was the depth forwards producing, but more importantly not allowing goals. The Oilers had 11 different players score a goal the past two games. They got production from all lines and four goals from defensemen. Trent Frederic didn’t score a point, but he was much more engaged than we’ve seen all season. He set up teammates for some great looks, but they didn’t finish.

Offense hasn’t been an issue for the Oilers for years. Their challenge has been defending consistently. They’ve had stretches where they defend hard, play solid positionally, and limit turnovers. We know they can do it, but it comes and goes. Last night the Kings generated very little. Connor Ingram faced few very high danger chances. I’d expect he will start in San Jose tomorrow as the Oilers look to leave California with two wins in three starts.

SUBTLE CHANGES…

— The Oilers didn’t install completely different systems, but there were some noticeable differences.

I rarely saw the long stretch pass to centre where the forward would just deflect the puck in the zone. I hate that play, as to me it is simply a 200-foot change of possession.
They attacked up the middle of the ice more, and the D-men moved the puck quicker, but the forwards were also more connected. They weren’t as reliant on stretch passes.
They cycled with purpose, and while we still saw a third forward high in the zone in the middle of the ice, it wasn’t as often. They cycled more up the wall.
More players were moving their feet. The Oilers weren’t as stationary, and that led to winning more puck battles and extending offensive zone time, but also limiting their time in the defensive zone.

— Matt Savoie had a great two games. He is tied with Brayden Point for the most points since returning from the Olympic break. I know it is only two games, but anytime a rookie produces five points in two games people should take notice. He looks refreshed and confident. He and Jack Roslovic played around 50% of their 5×5 time together. In their 19 minutes together, they outshot opponents 15-8 and outscored them 4-2. In eight minutes away from Roslovic, Savoie was outshot 4-3 and tied 1-1 in goals, while Roslovic skated 14 minutes away from Savoie and outshot opponents 7-6 and was outscored 1-0. They weren’t exclusively together because the Oilers only had 11 forwards for most of the games.

— Mattias Janmark skated two minutes in Anaheim before leaving with an injury. He’s had a nagging shoulder issue all season, and it finally reached the point where he can’t play. “He will be out long-term. It is a chronic injury that needs rest,” Knoblauch said. Janmark’s injury will free up some cap space, but not right away. The Oilers want to recall Josh Samanski before they place Janmark on LTIR due to cap reasons. The Oilers aren’t in LTIR now, so Samanski, when recalled, would carry a $975K cap hit, but if they recall him when the team is in LTIR, then his bonuses will count with his base salary, and he’d be a $1.462m cap hit.

The Oilers could play with 11 forwards in San Jose. It isn’t a big deal for a few games. Kasperi Kapanen might be ready to play, so he could be the 12th forward, but they might want to rest him until next Tuesday when they play Ottawa. The Oilers would like to create enough space where they can recall Samanski before moving Janmark to LTIR. It makes sense, so don’t be surprised if Janmark isn’t moved to LTIR right away.

— McDavid reached the 100-point plateau for the ninth time in his career and sixth consecutive season, both huge accomplishments. He trails only Mario Lemieux (10) and Wayne Gretzky (15) for most 100-point seasons in a career. He is also tied with Mike Bossy, Bobby Orr, Peter Stastny, Guy Lafleur, Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman for most consecutive 100-point seasons with six. Gretzky had 13 in a row.

— Leon Draisaitl needs 16 points for his fifth consecutive 100-point season and the seventh of his career. Draisaitl will be only the seventh player with seven 100-point seasons, and he could tie Lemieux for third and maybe pass him before his career is over. It’s wild how productive he and McDavid are. Oilers fans are pretty blessed to have been able to watch many of the league’s most dominant offensive players the past 46 seasons.

— It is only two games, but there were many positives through five of six periods. The third period cost them two points, and that’s a big deal, but the subtle changes to breakouts, puck support and using their speed more should lead to more long-term success.