Tuesday, February 13, 2018

THE EDMONTON OILERS: “SPECIAL” TEAMS

It’s no secret that when referring to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2017/18 season that their special teams units have been anything but special. Not so special would be more appropriate, or special for all the wrong reasons, or especially bad even.

After sitting through another loss I decided to crunch the numbers and delve a little deeper into just how bad these historically awful units have been. Inexplicably the Oilers are dead last on the PK at home whilst boasting the best road PK in the league. How can the same unit be so terrible at home while being rock solid on the road?

Let’s take a look a look into the numbers, broken down by division with home and road splits:


THE PENALTY KILL:

Home Games
Vs Pacific Division:
8 GP, 7 PPG on 25 PP = 72% PK
Vs Central Division:
8 GP, 12 PPG on 24 PP = 50% PK
Vs Atlantic Division:
7 GP, 14 PPG on 22 PP = 36% PK
Vs Metropolitan Division:
5* GP, 5 PPG on 13 PP = 61% PK *both NJ & WSH did not have a PP
Total:
28 GP, 38 PPG on 84 PP = 55% PK

Away Games
Vs Pacific Division:
7 GP, 3 PPG on 26 PP = 88% PK
Vs Central Division:
8 GP, 3 PPG on 30 PP = 90% PK
Vs Atlantic Division:
5 GP, 3 PPG on 12 PP = 75% PK
Vs Metropolitan Division:
7 GP, 3 PPG on 20 PP = 85% PK
Total:
27 GP, 12 PPG on 88 PP = 86% PK


THE POWER PLAY:

Home Games
Vs Pacific Division:
8* GP, 3 PPG on 24 PP = 13% PP *all 3 came vs VGK
Vs Central Division:
8 GP. 2 PPG on 21 PP = 10% PP
Vs Atlantic Division:
7 GP, 3 PPG on 16 PP = 19% PP
Vs Metropolitan Division:
5 GP. 4 PPG on 19 PP = 21% PP
Total:
28 GP, 12 PPG on 80 PP = 15% PP

Away Games
Vs Pacific Division:
7 GP, 2 PPG on 20 PP = 10% PP
Vs Central Division:
8 GP, 3 PPG on 18 PP = 17% PP
Vs Atlantic Division:
5* GP, 2 PPG on 14 PP = 14% PP * both came @ MTL
Vs Metropolitan Division:
7 GP, 3 PPG on 15 PP = 20% PP
Total:
27 GP, 10 PPG on 67 PP = 15% PP


IN SUMMARY:
Firstly, thank heavens they only have to play one more home game against the Atlantic Division because they are lighting up the Oilers PK at an unprecedented rate.

Secondly, much smarter men than I will be tasked with fixing the broken Special Teams this offseason and whether that entails a new GM, HC or AC’s, remains to be seen, but things need to vastly improve for the Oilers to have a shot next season.

Thirdly, how a PP containing Connor McDavid & Leon Draisaitl is sitting in 30th place is completely unacceptable.