16-06-2025
'I always hated it': NHL expert blasts Edmonton Oilers for major tactical fail
This in from ESPN's Ray Ferraro, perhaps the sharpest commentator in hockey, his assessment of the failure of the Edmonton Oilers to cleanly move the puck out of their own end in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
On The Ray & Dregs podcast, Ferraro noted the Oilers often attempted to lob the puck out, only to lose possession in the neutral zone and have the pounding Panthers come right back at them.
'That high flip has become a tactic around the league,' Ferraro said. 'And I always hated it because we finally get the puck, and now it's like we're on the punt coverage team. Right? They flip it up, we go down, they've got the puck again. Like, why can't we pass it out? And if Edmonton's D can get back to make a first clean touch, I think their first play has got to go up the middle of the ice. You rim it around the boards, and Florida just snuffs it out. Like, (Edmonton needs to) get back quick as you can. Maybe that open spot is the middle of the ice, and that backs off their D. And if it doesn't, then you can go to the high flip.'
Ferraro added: 'But it's not easy, right? Like Florida is not going to give you any time to do it.'
1. To check the validity of Ferraro assessment I went over zone exist in the first period when the Oilers were most on their back heal against the Panthers.
Florida built up a 2-0 lead in the first period on two even strength goals, the second one coming after the Oilers failed to advance the puck, Edmonton's Mattias Ekholm whiffing on a clearance and Florida charging right back into the Oilers zone to score.
2. I looked at every time the Panthers or the Oilers gained possession of the puck when they were in their own d-zone.
If they made a clean break out play — which included any d-zone clearance that went deep into their opponent's end and gave the clearing team a chance to forecheck effectively — they got a passing grade.
If the puck was picked off in the d-zone or neutral zone leading to a quick counterattack, they got a failing grade.
3. Florida made clean exits on 26 out of 40 attempts, a success rate of 65 per cent.
4. Edmonton made clean exits on 26 out of 53 attempts, a success rate of 49 per cent.
5. That's a significant difference between the two teams. That's a major advantage for the Panthers.
In building their 2-0 lead, they relied heavily on effective counterattacks, while thwarting Edmonton's attempt at the same. This led to more offensive zone time for the Panthers and led directly to one goal.
6. So what to do?
The Oilers have seven d-men who can move the puck. But Troy Stecher struggled most to move it against Florida in Game 5.
John Klingberg is a sound passer of the puck and more creative than Stecher. The Oilers should likely go back to him.
Ekholm also had his struggles, so maybe move him back to pair up with Evan Bouchard. Darnell Nurse and Klingberg would be one other pairing, with Brett Kulak and Jake Walman rounding things out.
These d-men can all make a pass. They can all skate with the puck. They're full capable of beating the Florida forecheck, even as the checkers come in fast, hard and dirty.
Lobbing the puck out or rimming the puck around the boards didn't work will in Game 5. Not one lob or rim worked to move the puck out under possession in that key period. The play can work as a last resort, but they also fly in the face of Edmonton's strength, quick advancement of the puck to fast forwards like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
It also strikes me that Edmonton's centres might provide a bit more support in the d-zone, working with the d-men to advance it, something Florida excels at, a three-man unit pushing the puck up ice, two d-men and usually the centre helping out.
7. The key to this series is whether Edmonton's d-man puck movement can get the best of that fierce Florida. forecheck. If Edmonton can, they will launch dangerous counterattacks and be more able to dump the puck in places where Oilers forecheckers can create havoc, either winning the puck or hammering on the Florida defenders.
It's time for Edmonton to launch it's own blitz of passing, skating and hitting.
Florida is at their worst in their own defensive half of the ice. They can be exploited with stretch passes for breakaways.
Now is the time. Game 6 is the moment.
