Surprising Oilers line listed as best combination in playoffs

The metric stated that the Evander Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman line was the best in the NHL playoffs so far through five-on-five play with a minimum 30 minutes.'

This line has played a minimum of 38 minutes 30 seconds through four games and led in four categories which included expected goals percentage, expected goals against, expected goals for per 60 minutes and expected goals against per 60 minutes.

Other members of the team including the Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry line sit at #4.

Throughout the first round, defense and goaltending certainly were not great on both sides of the ice as the Oilers managed to score 27 goals while allowing 24 goals against.

These numbers will need to tighten up especially on the defensive side as they prepare to face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.

The evidence was clear as the first round continued to unfold with the Oilers enjoying their star power as players like Evander Kane and Trent Frederic return to the lineup give me the team a major boost when it comes to team physicality and goal scoring.

Kane's play has been effective considering how he has vaulted this line into top spot for this metric.

Many Oilers fans were curious whether Kane would be able to return to the lineup for these playoffs as he had undergone abdominal surgery and knee surgery which kept him out of the lineup for the entire year.

The Oilers will certainly need to play with an edge as the Golden Knights will continue to be physical and tough to play against as the Oilers are aware from previous playoffs.

The Oilers will be back on the road in Las Vegas as the series is set to begin early next week.