The Edmonton Oilers Can Play Defense
Edmonton Oilers Top Players Tired of Answering the Defensive Question
It is time to put to bed the notion that the Edmonton Oilers can’t play defense. The Oilers returned to their defensive game in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, defeating the Dallas Stars by a score of 3-0.
It was Stuart Skinner’s third shutout of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and third in his last four games. But the team in front of him are playing a lot better than they did in the first two games of Round 1 against the Los Angeles Kings.
However, Edmonton is returning to the style of playoff hockey that brought them to within one goal of winning the Stanley Cup against the Florida Panthers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
However, it has been a sensitive subject for not only their captain, Connor McDavid, but also for other team members, such as Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman.
“I’m how many times are we going to answer this question, really like honestly? It’s frustrating that we keep talking about this. We can defend. We can,” McDavid told reporters after the Oilers advanced to the Western Conference for the third time in four years as they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 1-0 in Game 5 in overtime.
Draisaitl was asked about the team’s defensive play heading into their rematch against the Dallas Stars even before the Western Conference Final started.
“I mean, how many times do we need to answer these questions. Like, we've been a really good defensive team for years now,” Draisaitl told the media.
The Oilers are taking it to heart and out to prove they can play defense even with the changes on the backend and Mattias Ekholm out of the lineup. When Kris Knoblauch took over as head coach near the beginning of the season, he had an entirely different defensive unit than he does now.
The rest of the Oilers back-end is different. Darnell Nurse, Evan Bouchard, Troy Stecher, Brett Kulak, and Ekholm have been there since Knoblauch arrived. Last year, there were Cody Ceci, Philip Broberg, Vincent Desharnais, and Philip Kemp.
There was concern that the Oilers would struggle without Broberg. At times, they did this season. However, the play of John Klingberg, Jake Walman, and Ty Emberson has contributed to the Oilers success in the regular season and the playoffs.
You can see why McDavid and Draisaitl are getting upset. These two players and the rest of the team have evolved. No longer are Draisaitl and McDavid cheating for offense. They are playing two-hundred-foot hockey. They can play however their head coach wants them to.
Just look at the Vegas series for a minute. Connor McDavid has transformed his 200-foot game. But there was a play in the series where he skated the length of the ice to break up a play and keep the puck out of the net. That is the effort needed to win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In Game 4, Knoblauch could have easily put Draisaitl with McDavid and have him make up for the mistake in Game 3, where Reilly Smith’s shot went off Draisaitl’s stick as the Golden Knights won their only game of the series. But instead, Draisaitl was asked to play a defensive role with Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin, and they shut down Jack Eichel.
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That is the difference this year between the Edmonton Oilers and the Oilers teams of years ago. Edmonton tried to outscore their defensive issues instead of solving the problems from within and playing a new style of hockey with a structure that could win in the playoffs.
“Yeah, we're a different team than we have been in years past,” McDavid told reporters after Game 2. “Probably not as run and gun as we've been. Not as entertaining to watch for the folks at home, but we’re winning games, and that’s all that matters. Guys are doing everything they can to help this team win.”
It is not that they didn’t play good defence under former head coach Jay Woodcroft, but it was not consistent enough, and it cost Woodcroft his job at the start of last year. The players owned it, too. But they also took responsibility in their own zone by playing good defence.
Knoblauch is pushing the right buttons, but they are playing within their structure. Darnell Nurse has taken strides defensively, but sometimes he still gets beat in his own zone. When Nurse is at his best, he isn’t trying to do too much. He keeps the game simple.
Same with Evan Bouchard. Once Knoblauch broke them up, everything fell into place. The rest of the players on defense are stepping up, and there is no Ekholm in the lineup. Every player entering the lineup understands their role and executes the game plan to perfection, especially five-on-five.
However, the Oilers need to clean up their defensive game, which is where they are shorthanded. However, they got back to clearing pucks in Game 2 and avoiding unnecessary penalties. Those dumb penalties cost the Oilers Game 1 when they took and gave up three straight power-play goals to begin the third period.
Entering the third period of Game 1, the Oilers were up 3-1. After those power-play goals, they trailed 4-3 to the Stars. A kill here or there in the third period, and the Oilers might be up 2-0 in the series. But at five-on-five, they are limiting the offensive chances for the Stars.
You can see why McDavid is unhappy, continually discussing the Edmonton Oilers defense. He knows the strides he has taken as a player defensively, not to mention the rest of the team.
"Yes, we can play defense,” McDavid said laughing as told the media following the Game 2 victory. “Forwards are coming back really hard, everyone is selling out blocking shots. It’s that time of year, that’s what it takes. It’s fun to watch. And when we defend and everyone is bought in like that, we know we’re going to find enough offence somewhere.”
The Edmonton Oilers have endured trials, and their failures in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final have left them with a bitter taste in their mouths. The Oilers saw what the Florida Panthers were willing to do.
Now Kris Knoblauch has them able to close out games with a lead, outside of Game 1, which was more of a special-teams failure than a five-on-five failure. This team plays that “boring” style of dump-and-chase hockey. They hit, forecheck, block shots, limit chances, crash the net, and score greasy goals. That is what it takes to win in the playoffs.
Yes, McDavid and Draisaitl will still have their fancy plays as they are one of the best dynamic duos in the NHL, but they have added a defensive element to their game. In addition, McDavid is also playing on the penalty kill, as he poses a threat to score shorthanded.
As McDavid keeps saying, the Edmonton Oilers can play defense, and the results back it up.
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