Article content continued

Another thing that might open things up for this five-man left shot top unit would be to start almost all power play sequences on the left side, from the left circle, giving the passer there, either RNH or McDavid, four left shot one-timer options on the other side of the ice. TSN’s Ray Ferraro talked about this on Jason Gregor’s radio show recently. This strategy would in theory open up Draisaitl with his wicked one-timer from the right circle, but so far we haven’t seen that play stressed on this power play. I’m not sure why not, as it strikes me that if you’re going to use his five man left-shot unit, having McDavid start off on the right circle and either shoot himself or feed Draisaitl for a one-timer should be the go-to play. You try it again and again and again because it’s your best chance of scoring and it stresses the penalty kill, rather than making it easy for them by starting the sequence on the right side.

Of course, Edmonton could also abandon this five0man, left shot formation and go with a right shot playing in the left circle, someone like Ty Rattie or Jesse Puljujarvi to bomb the net with a one-timer from that spot.

What would this fan like to see?

Maybe Rattie in the left circle, Klefbom or Evan Bouchard on the point, Leon Draisaitl on the right circle and McDavid and RNH alternating from net front to the bumper position.

Would that work?

It would put Rattie and Draisaitl both in perfect spots to bomb away with off-wing shots, while McDavid and RNH caused chaos in the middle and down low. If the play called for Bouchard or Klefbom to shoot from outside, all other hands could bomb the net, depositing any rebound on net with their safe-cracking hands.

I could see a power play like that being one of the best in the league. This current formation? Well, they’ve generated some chances and scored two goals in ten attempts, one of them off a brilliant McDavid rush. So it’s not been any kind of disaster but it hasn’t actually seemed to be high functioning, has it?

The Cult of Hockey recent posts

STAPLES: Yamamoto, Rattie and Puljujarvi scoring woes so far

LEAVINS: 9 things on Oilers first win and other matters

LEAVINS: The Oilers earn 1st win with 2-1 decision over Rangers

McCURDY: Oilers shut down by deeper, better Bruins