After a period of seemingly endless experimentation, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch appears to have landed on a forward lineup that's starting to generate positive results. Known for frequently shuffling his lines in the season's early weeks, Knoblauch’s recent commitment to consistency is paying dividends for the team.
Through the first portion of the season, Knoblauch juggled his combinations so often that analyzing the effectiveness of specific pairings became a near-impossible task. However, over the last four games, Knoblauch has maintained the same top three lines. This newfound stability seems to be a catalyst for the Oilers' improved performance. In those games, the Oilers secured two wins and earned five of a possible six standings points, with a 6-3 victory over the Utah Mammoth, a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers, and a 3-2 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
One of the most notable developments has been the emergence of a strong second line featuring Leon Draisaitl, Jack Roslovic, and Vasily Podkolzin. This trio has quickly established chemistry, outscoring opponents 5-0 in just 52 minutes of even-strength play. Draisaitl's exceptional playmaking and scoring abilities are complemented by Roslovic's above-average speed and skill, while Podkolzin's tenacious forechecking and puck-retrieval skills contribute to the line's overall success. According to Knoblauch, finding the right roles, or the "right chairs," for his players has been crucial.
While the Draisaitl line is thriving, the top line of Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Andrew Mangiapane is still working to find its rhythm. They have been outscored 1-2 in 56 minutes, and outshot by their opponents. Despite the need for improvement on the top line, Nugent-Hopkins has generally been more effective at center this season than on the wing. If the top unit can elevate its game to the level of the second line, the Oilers will become a formidable opponent.
The Oilers' initial struggles can be attributed, in part, to the absence of Zach Hyman, whose versatility and skill are vital to the team’s forward depth. Hyman's presence is missed on Connor McDavid's wing, on the power play, and on the penalty kill. The team has also been without Kasperi Kapanen, who has been sidelined with an injury.
Despite a recent 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken, Knoblauch believes the team is addressing some of its issues. "We're not playing our best hockey, and we knew at the beginning of the season that it was going to take a while to build this and get our identity," Knoblauch stated. "Some of it, we've solved things… Our process has been good, and as we continue to improve upon it, then the results will come".
While the Oilers' record stands at 4-4-2, they are aiming to solidify their systems and ensure everyone understands their roles. The team faces a challenging schedule ahead, but Knoblauch is optimistic that the Oilers are trending in the right direction. Their next test is against the St. Louis Blues.
