Coach's speech changes Oilers' identity following sluggish start to year
Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Sometimes, a coach has to draw a line in the sand and demand changes. For the Oilers, that line was the team's November 25 loss 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars.
Since that lobsided loss, however, Edmonton has taken flight and is leading the field with its return to Oiler-style hockey.
Team finds identity amidst embarrassing defeat
Oilers' coach Kris Knoblauch had addressed the media following the Dallas loss, saying his team needed to 'tighten certain tactical screws', while expressing frustration with the team's poor start and proclivity to costly mistakes.
In his comments, Knoblauch highlighted the team's need to establish an identity, play with more pace and tempo, and improve their execution with the puck, which he noted had been a weakness in the preceding weeks.
Well, point taken. His team has been playing exceptionally well, with his star players performing at an historical pace.
«I'm not sure I've ever seen him better," the coach said of his Captain, Connor McDavid. "I've seen every one of the games he's played. I'm not sure I've ever seen him play better than he has in December of 2025.»
In this 13 game stretch, McDavid had recorded four-points on four separate occasions, including a five-assist night, a pace rarely seen over that amount of games.
Of course, although led by their Captain, it takes a team to win games. It's no coincidence that Edmonton's hot-streak coincides with Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins playing alongside McDavid.
Also, their defense has tightened-up and is making fewer mistakes, while moving the puck to get the rush going. All the pieces are fitting nicely. Goaltending hasn't been too shabby either, despite the instability.
The Oilers now seem poised to go the distance, and with the changes they've made to the gameplan, are playing like it too.
In this 13 game stretch, McDavid had recorded four-points on four separate occasions, including a five-assist night, a pace rarely seen over that amount of games.
Of course, although led by their Captain, it takes a team to win games. It's no coincidence that Edmonton's hot-streak coincides with Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins playing alongside McDavid.
Also, their defense has tightened-up and is making fewer mistakes, while moving the puck to get the rush going. All the pieces are fitting nicely. Goaltending hasn't been too shabby either, despite the instability.
The Oilers now seem poised to go the distance, and with the changes they've made to the gameplan, are playing like it too.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 582 ANSWERS Coach's speech changes Oilers' identity following sluggish start to year Is Edmonton playing with an identity now? | ||
| yes | 457 | 78.5 % |
| no | 125 | 21.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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