{"id":276977,"date":"2026-04-20T16:05:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T16:05:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/276977\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T16:05:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T16:05:22","slug":"what-are-the-oilers-advantages-and-disadvantages-in-round-1-vs-the-ducks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/276977\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the Oilers\u2019 advantages and disadvantages in Round 1 vs. the Ducks?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Monday Mailbag: What are the Oilers\u2019 advantages and disadvantages in Round 1 vs. the Ducks?<\/p>\n

Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As per tradition, I\u2019ve got a brand new mailbag<\/a> set to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their takes. This week, we\u2019re discussing the Oilers\u2019 chances against the Anaheim Ducks, Josh Samanski\u2019s spot in the lineup, Cup or Bust, and more. If you\u2019ve got a question you\u2019d like to ask, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com<\/a> or on Twitter at\u00a0@jsbmbaggedmilk<\/a>, and I\u2019ll get to you as soon as I can.\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Mar 28, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Chris Kreider (20) tries to screen Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram (39) during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

1) Yves asks \u2013 The Oilers are getting the Ducks<\/a> in the playoffs for the first time since 2017, and I\u2019m wondering what advantages and disadvantages the veteran Oilers have against this young and upcoming Anaheim team?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Experience, better top-end players and most importantly, better team defence. I expect the Oilers to win this in four or five.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

The advantages are that the Oilers are much better at taking care of the puck. When they\u2019re at their best, they dominate puck possession and don\u2019t give the other team a lot of quality opportunities. Their generational power play helps quite a bit as well. The Ducks do have a very good offence, though, and if the Oilers get sloppy with the puck, Anaheim will make them pay.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing: <\/p>\n

I think what you said is going to be the biggest. This is an Oilers team that has been deep in the playoffs three years in a row, going through all the trials and tribulations. The Ducks have a few vets with playoff experience, but Edmonton knows how to handle these wars of attrition.<\/p>\n

Michael Menzies:<\/p>\n

Experience is the obvious answer. But if the Oilers get both Draisaitl and Dickinson back, their strength through the middle of the ice, lines 1-4, is a distinct advantage. Plus, the options to adapt and play Nuge, Henrique, Samanski and Lazar at centre. The biggest disadvantage or concern is how the Ducks attack and have a penchant for comebacks. The Oilers ability to close the deal when ahead, something they\u2019ve struggled with at times, will be tested.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

The Ducks don\u2019t have Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. They don\u2019t have Evan Bouchard, who tends to go nuclear when the playoffs start. What they do have, though, is plenty of youthful exuberance that will absolutely steal them a game or two.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Sep 26, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Josh Samanski (81) waits for the play to begin against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

2) James asks \u2013 I\u2019ve been really impressed by Josh Samanski<\/a> since becoming more of a regular in the lineup<\/a>, but how does everyone think he can hold his own in the playoffs if Jason Dickinson<\/a> needs more time?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Playoffs are a different beast, but he should be okay. Starting at home helps, as Knoblauch can control the matchups a bit more, but Samanski is very reliable defensively, and that won\u2019t change in the playoffs. It will be more about how he handles the quicker and more intense pace.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

I think he could\u00a0and I think he\u00a0deserves to be in the lineup over someone like Adam Henrique purely based on how the two have played this\u00a0season, although\u00a0Henrique is a much more trusted\u00a0penalty killer so I can see why Knoblauch might be hesitant to\u00a0do it.\u00a0But the\u00a0fact\u00a0Samanski rarely makes mistakes and plays a very mature game should make him a fixture in the bottom-six for years to come.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing: <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been saying it for a few weeks now: I\u2019d rather have Josh Samanski in the lineup than Adam Henrique. The coaching staff may not feel the same, though. Samanski\u2019s game has really come around, and I think the first round is the right time for him to get his feet wet.<\/p>\n

Michael Menzies:<\/p>\n

I think he\u2019s made a strong case to be a regular in the lineup, whether Dickinson is in or not. Samanski has had a helluva calendar year and has gained Knoblauch\u2019s trust more and more. I think he\u2019ll be fine.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I think Samanski has shown he cares about his own zone enough to assume that he\u2019ll be able to give the Oilers quiet, competent minutes when\/if called upon.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

May 10, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) and forward Connor McDavid (97) celebrate their victory against the Vancouver Canucks during the first overtime in game two of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

3) Ed M. asks \u2013 For the last few seasons, it has been \u201cCup or bust<\/a>\u201c. Is this a realistic expectation going into this playoff year? What do you consider realistic for this playoff year?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Cup or bust. The Oilers are very good, and I think they are deeper up front and on the blue line this year than last.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

Yes. It has to be. The Oilers are the most battle-tested team in the playoffs, and they have two of the best players in the sport. The goaltending Connor Ingram is giving them should give the entire fanbase plenty of confidence, and their blue line is healthy heading into the first round, unlike last year. Plenty of reasons to think the Oilers can go on a run.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing: <\/p>\n

It is, once again, Stanley Cup or bust, much like it is for every other team. The Oilers have done everything but drink out of Lord Stanley\u2019s mug.<\/p>\n

Michael Menzies:<\/p>\n

The Oilers are in the uncomfortable position where losing in any round will be deemed a failure. Before the season began, I anticipated a loss likely in the second round. Despite Florida going to a third straight SCF, it\u2019s the outlier if you look at teams post-1990. I\u2019ve wondered how much this group could benefit from a longer off-season. On one hand, their forward depth could be better than the last two years, but depth elsewhere is a question. With how weak the Pacific was, there will be real disappointment if Edmonton doesn\u2019t come out of this area of the bracket.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

Still Cup or bust until the boys get the job done. While Connor McDavid is here, that\u2019s the plan.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Apr 13, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Colton Dach (34) battles with Colorado Avalanche defensemen Brett Burns (84) in front of goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) during the first period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

4) Brent asks \u2013 How do you see Colton Dach<\/a> fitting into the playoff picture<\/a>? He seems to have some chemistry going with Trent Frederic, but it also seems like the Oilers may get some bodies back at some point in Round 1.<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

They will be an important combo in the bottom six brining energy and physicality. Lazar comes out for Draisaitl, and then when Dickinson returns, it will depend on how guys are playing to see who stays in, but Dach has brought an element they need. Energy and exuberance.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

I think he will be an everyday player. The physicality, the size, the speed and the willingness to mix it up and get under the other team\u2019s skin will all be valuable throughout a best-of-seven series. Even with Dickinson and Draisaitl back, Dach should have a spot on the fourth line.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing: <\/p>\n

Dach has only played in eight games for the Oilers, but has shown his style of play is a perfect fit for the postseason. He\u2019s laid 30 hits, or 3.75 per game, and I sense some 2017 Zack Kassian with the way he throws his body around.<\/p>\n

Michael Menzies:<\/p>\n

Knoblauch always likes keeping guys fresh (unless you\u2019re Spencer Stastney). He says it\u2019ll likely be a rotation of forwards, but I wouldn\u2019t be in a hurry to break up a winger combo that profiles as a great crash-and-bang line with Trent Frederic and Josh Samanski or insert centre.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I like how annoying he is, and that he\u2019s always willing to mix things up out there. I love that about Dach.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Feb 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram (39) looks down ice during the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

5) Oilers fan in Van asks \u2013 The Oilers<\/a> have a new starting goalie in Connor Ingram<\/a> going into the playoffs this year. Where is your confidence at with Ingram compared to where you were with Stuart Skinner the last two years?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Heading into the 2024 playoffs, Skinner had been a top-seven goalie in the NHL in 69 games under Knoblauch. He was solid despite his inexperience. I see the same in Ingram. Ingram has been really good lately, and it helps with the Oilers committing to playing better defensively. It isn\u2019t about the goalie as much as it is about how the team plays. Ingram just needs to be consistent.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

I was always a Skinner believer, so I always had some level of confidence when he was in net, but it\u2019s clear that Ingram gives the Oilers a totally different level of goaltending. He doesn\u2019t give up as many weak goals as Skinner did, and I think that will allow the team in front of him to play with way more confidence as well.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing: <\/p>\n

I was always a Skinner truther, but I\u2019ll be the first to admit the confidence level with Ingram is much higher. As Devan Dubnyk pointed out<\/a>, it\u2019s the fact that you know what you\u2019re getting from Ingram every night.<\/p>\n

Michael Menzies:<\/p>\n

I\u2019m confident that Ingram can maintain a similar level, higher than my level with Skinner. However, my confidence in the entire goaltending department as a whole is less than last year because the Oilers don\u2019t have a backup who\u2019s played well this season. Both Jarry and Pickard have struggled. There\u2019s not much recourse if Ingram gets cracked.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I think Connor Ingram has the quiet, steady demeanour in net that can be beneficial when he\u2019s on top of his game. He was solid down the stretch, and if the Oilers can keep playing defence in front of him, I think we\u2019ve got a good horse to ride between the pipes. I mean, I hope so anyway.<\/p>\n

PRESENTED BY STAKE\"\"<\/a>