{"id":289693,"date":"2026-04-28T13:08:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T13:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/289693\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T13:08:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T13:08:26","slug":"why-do-the-oilers-abandon-the-hockey-that-works-for-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/289693\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do the Oilers abandon the hockey that works for them?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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 penalty kill problems against the Ducks, Connor Ingram, game plans, 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.\"Anaheim<\/p>\n

Apr 24, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (left) celebrates with center Mikael Granlund (right) after scoring a goal during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

1) Adam asks \u2013 Why do the Oilers<\/a> constantly seem to abandon what works for them? Down the stretch, they played much tighter defensively, but they seemed to abandon that against the Ducks<\/a> when they needed it most.<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Great question. It is part of their identity at this point. They seem to clamp down when they really feel it is necessary. Granted, no team will play great defensively all the time, but when the Oilers decide to play loose, no one is better at leaking great chances and gifting goals than the Oilers.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing:<\/p>\n

I, much like the Oilers, sure wish there was an answer for it. I keep coming back to McDavid\u2019s comments about the regular season being monotonous, and I wonder if that\u2019s bled over into the playoffs this year. They\u2019ve been far too complacent against Anaheim.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

A fascinating question. When the boys play their way, the Ducks haven\u2019t been able to do much about it. The problem, of course, is that the Oilers decided that three or four shifts at a time is enough effort for any given period, which has given Anaheim all the runway they\u2019ve needed to win three straight.<\/p>\n

\"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

2) Yves asks \u2013 How would you rate Connor Ingram\u2019s play<\/a>? The goals against number is high, but it\u2019s impossible to ignore how porous the team in front of him has played in the defensive zone.<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t the main issue, but he also didn\u2019t make any big stops in Game 2 and 3. I liked his play in Game 1 especially in the third period when he made two huge saves.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing:<\/p>\n

Solid in Game 1, shaky in Game 2, not good enough in Game 3. It averages out to, well, average. Game 3 is one he wants back.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

Take Game 3 as an example. Ingram was fantastic in the first period and was the only reason the Oilers were even in the fight. But when you also get tagged for six overall to make it 16 in three games, it was fair to wonder if Knoblauch would make a change for Game 4, and he did.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Feb 25, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) reacts after scoring a goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram (39) during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

3) Vince asks \u2013 Edmonton\u2019s penalty kill<\/a> is sinking them. What needs to change when down a man to make the PK more effective?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

The goalie has to be their best penalty killer. That will help. Henrique was a key part of the PK, and those who doubted it have been proven incorrect. He does a lot of little things that help. Also, no Dickinson for Game 2 and 3 didn\u2019t help, but being more assertive will help them. The biggest issue is the Ducks PP has loads of confidence now. You see it. They are moving the puck effortlessly and feel they can score every time. The main thing for EDM will be to not taking any penalties in the second period. They are horrendous on the PK in the middle frame.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing:<\/p>\n

Much like at five-on-five and when the Ducks are killing penalties themselves, they\u2019re a very aggressive team. It\u2019s felt like it\u2019s caught the Oilers off guard and they can\u2019t seem to figure out how to adapt. The Oilers goaltenders have done a very poor job of controlling rebounds all series, and that\u2019s been a big issue too.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

They need to do a better job clearing out bodies and rebounds. It seems like every rebound the Ducks get goes in the net, but at the other end, their d-men and forwards do a much better job of clearing out the trash.<\/p>\n

\"Anaheim<\/p>\n

Apr 22, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The Anaheim Ducks celebrate a goal scored by forward Cutter Gauthier (61) during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

4) Mandeep asks \u2013 Are the Ducks<\/a> better than people gave them credit for, or are the Oilers worse than people thought?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Ducks are good. They are young but good. At 5\u00d75, Edmonton has outscored them, but special teams is killing EDM. The Ducks are playing fast. Edmonton isn\u2019t, and I\u2019ve heard the injury bug has bitten them more than just McDavid, Dickinson and Henrique. Anaheim looks confident right now and is getting contributions from everyone.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing:<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think anybody was saying the Ducks were a bad team, but it\u2019s clear the Oilers aren\u2019t playing up to their ability. It\u2019s been a lot of hockey over the last few years for a lot of these guys.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s both. The Ducks are good, and the Oilers have played like trash. The Pacific Division was tight all season, so I was surprised to see how many people were disrespecting Anaheim coming into this series. For the record, I had Oilers in six.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Apr 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft speaks with media following game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

5) Oilers fan in Van asks \u2013 Does Jay Woodcroft<\/a> deserve more credit for his insights on how to keep the Oilers locked down?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think so. The Oilers have scored 15 goals in four games. Offence isn\u2019t the problem. The Ducks PP found their stride leading into the playoffs and it has continued. The penalty kill slowed the Oilers PP in Game 1, but since then Edmonton has created many good chances.<\/p>\n

Zach Laing:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s probably a part of it, but Knoblauch has been behind the bench for two and a half years now. It\u2019s a completely different team.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I mean, there are probably some mannerisms and things he\u2019s sharing with his team from his time behind the bench, but he was also the coach three years ago now. How much would he REALLY be carrying with him that the Ducks wouldn\u2019t already know? The film is out there. Everyone can watch every shift he takes.<\/p>\n

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