Why the Oilers’ Improved Defense Will Lead to a Breakout Season

The Edmonton Oilers are set to elevate their game this season, thanks to their recent defensive improvements under head coach Chris Knoblauch. During the 2024 playoffs, the Oilers showcased their strongest defensive performance in the McDavid-Draisaitl era, limiting opponents to just 2.6 goals per game over 25 games—an even better stat than the 2017 Oilers’ playoff run under Todd McLellan.

In 2017, Edmonton’s defense relied heavily on solid goaltending from Cam Talbot and a formidable top four defense led by Andrej Sekera, Kris Russell, Oscar Klefbom, and Adam Larsson. The team might have sustained their playoff success had key players like Sekera and Klefbom not been injured. However, this year’s Oilers under Knoblauch seem less prone to that kind of collapse.

Knoblauch, known for his excellence in teaching defensive zone tactics, now has a full training camp to implement his systems. From superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to defensive anchors like Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse, the entire roster will benefit from his guidance. If they continue to absorb Knoblauch’s defensive philosophy, Edmonton could rise to challenge the best defensive teams in the NHL.

After Knoblauch took over midway through last season, the Oilers ranked as the fifth-best defensive team in the league, allowing just 2.68 goals per game. This improvement shows great potential, especially if they continue to refine their defensive strategy. Cutting down on dangerous shots, particularly “Grade A” and “5-alarm” chances, while also boosting goaltender Stuart Skinner’s performance, could push Edmonton to new heights. In the 2024 playoffs, they limited high-risk chances to just 5.1 per game, a sharp improvement from the 7.8 they allowed in the regular season.

With Knoblauch’s tactical expertise, the Oilers are poised to improve even further defensively, making them a serious contender for the Stanley Cup in 2025.