Since the Edmonton Oilers hired head coach Kris Knoblauch, the team has skyrocketed from the basement of the standings to being right back into the playoff hunt. Although the poor start may not have been the fault of Jay Woodcroft, the Oilers are certainly seeing results under Knoblauch. Last night, as the team looked for their eighth win in a row, Knoblauch made a significant change to the team.
Last night, while the Oilers held a lead against the Blackhawks but weren't playing their best game, Knoblauch made a critical line switch that led to quick returns. In the middle of the game, Knoblauch switched Draisaitl and McLeod in their lines. Draisaitl played shifts with Foegele and Janmark, and McLeod with Kane and Brown.
This kind of tenacity and willingness to chair bold decisions with the games in real time is a testament to Knoblauch's coaching ability. In highly competitive games and the playoffs, the coach's ability to make in-game adjustments with strategies and lines is extremely important to the team's success.
Now under Knoblauch, the Oilers have improved their record to 10-3, and are back to routinely dominating teams. The Oilers have always had the elite talent to be cup contenders, and now Knoblauch is showing the ability to lead them towards it.
