The Edmonton Oilers, who showcased remarkable depth in the initial rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, are now facing a stark reality: their secondary scoring has largely vanished against the Florida Panthers. After five games, the Oilers find themselves trailing 3-2 in the series, with their once-vaunted depth struggling to make a significant impact.
Throughout the first three rounds, the Oilers proved they were not solely reliant on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They demonstrated the ability to win games through strong defensive play, stellar goaltending, and, most importantly, contributions from their bottom-six forwards. However, against the Panthers, this depth has been conspicuously absent.
The disparity in offensive production is glaring. McDavid, Draisaitl, and Corey Perry have accounted for a lion's share of the Oilers' offense, amassing eight goals and 11 assists. The remaining forwards, in contrast, have only managed four goals and eight assists combined. At times, the Oilers have resembled a one-line team, allowing the Panthers to focus their defensive efforts on shutting down McDavid and forcing the other skaters to step up – a challenge they have largely failed to meet. While Draisaitl has contributed with four goals, including both game-winning goals in overtime, the other forwards have been unable to consistently provide offensive support.
Evander Kane, who was a key offensive contributor in the earlier rounds with five goals and six assists, has been a shadow of his former self. Tasked with keeping Matthew Tkachuk and the Panthers' physicality in check, Kane has only managed a single goal and has been a liability at times. He exemplifies the numerous role players who have faded into the background against Florida.
Several factors contribute to this disappearing act. The Panthers' defense has been effective in neutralizing the Oilers' forward depth, limiting their scoring opportunities and disrupting their offensive flow. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has also been a formidable presence in the net, boasting a .912 save percentage. However, even with Bobrovsky's strong play, the Oilers' depth forwards need to find ways to generate more scoring chances and convert on those opportunities.
The Oilers' struggles extend beyond just goal scoring. They have also had difficulty establishing a consistent forecheck and winning puck battles in the offensive zone. This has made it challenging for them to sustain offensive pressure and create scoring chances for their top players and depth forwards alike. In Game 5, Edmonton struggled to generate shots on goal, being limited to just three in the first period and 11 through two periods.
Looking ahead to Game 6, the Oilers need a spark from their depth players if they hope to extend the series and keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive. Players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and others need to elevate their game and provide the secondary scoring that has been missing. A more balanced offensive attack will force the Panthers to spread their defensive attention, potentially opening up more opportunities for McDavid and Draisaitl as well. The Oilers need to find a way to get their depth players involved and generate more scoring chances if they want to overcome the Panthers' stifling defense and regain their offensive form.
