BLOG: The Oilers are trying out different combinations on the power play

In their 3-2 overtime loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday night, the Oilers went 4-1 on the power play. They looked normal on their first power play, producing three shots and numerous other great performances, but didn’t look threatening before halftime due to their second man advantage.

Later in the game, despite McDavid’s PPG in the second period, there wasn’t as much going on with the man advantage, and another goal could have gone a long way toward stopping the Hurricanes’ comeback that began in the third period. Sebastian Aho scored two goals seven seconds into the third period before the end of the extension.

After goaltender Stuart Skinner got the job done with 30 saves, another special teams contribution — either a PK stop or a PPG — could have turned the tide against Carolina. For a team that has benefited greatly from its historic power play success in recent seasons, it’s not exactly an area you’d expect to see problems with just two PPGs on 19 power plays.

“During the season there are always things that need to be addressed. When things aren’t going well, something usually slips,” Knoblauch said. “Right now, the way their season has been going, there were a lot of things to figure out: the power play, the penalty kill, scoring goals.” [The power play] was one thing I didn’t expect us to have problems with.

“I think two things are so important to win games: special teams and goaltending. Last night we had exceptional goaltending, and then throughout the regular season our special teams wasn’t what we expected. Look at our run.” The playoffs, and the main reason we got through that run was our penalty kill and our power play. You know the identity of this team – to be successful, our special teams needs to be a big part of it right now. They’re not.”