The 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers have the greatest power play in NHL history.
That is not hyperbole. The Oilers have scored on an incredible 32.4 per cent of their power-play opportunities this season. That would stand as the highest single-season rate since the NHL began tracking power-play percentage in 1977-78, when the Montreal Canadiens finished at 31.9 per cent. As long as the Oilers do not go 0-for-4 against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday in their regular-season finale, the record will be theirs. (The Oilers have gone 0-for-4 or worse only four times this season.)
Of course, it helps to have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who have combined for 52 goals on the power play, which ranks ahead of 15 teams. Draisaitl’s 31 power-play goals are tied for third most in a season in league history (Tim Kerr’s 34 in 1985-86 is the record).
The four forwards on the Oilers’ top unit — McDavid, Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman — have remained constant. Tyson Barrie ran the point until the Oilers traded him to the Nashville Predators on Feb. 28 and Evan Bouchard has since replaced Barrie. The No. 1 unit has not missed a beat since Bouchard took over for Barrie, scoring 17 power-play goals in 18 games. (Hyman missed two games in mid-March.)
McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman all have at least 15 power-play goals — the first time in league history that one team has four players with at least that many PPG in a season.
It all starts in the faceoff circle, where the Oilers have won 63.2 per cent of their offensive-zone draws, the third-best mark in the league. Draisaitl is the Oilers’ go-to guy. He has won 64.3 per cent of his OZ faceoffs on the power play, including 66.7 per cent of his strong-side (left) draws.
Once the Oilers have gained possession, they do not fill up on low-percentage shots. They are diligent in getting the puck to the slot, ranking first in shot attempts (2.07), pass attempts (3.47) and completed passes (2.02) per two minutes. Their shooters are also highly accurate, putting 61.4 per cent of their slot shot attempts on net — fourth best. In all, 57.1 per cent of the Oilers’ power-play shot attempts reach the net, second only to the Toronto Maple Leafs (57.8 per cent).
The Oilers average a league-best 46 seconds of offensive zone possession time per two minutes and rarely turn over the puck, doing so on just 9.2 per cent of their touches (tied for fourth). In the rare instances when opponents are able to win possession and clear the puck, the Oilers excel at getting it back into the offensive zone. Edmonton has converted a league-leading 74.2 per cent of its controlled carry-ins into successful plays, which include pass and shot attempts.
The Oilers, who defeated the Colorado Avalanche in overtime Tuesday on a power-play goal by Bouchard, have won eight in a row and 13 of 14 by a combined score of 62-31. The power play has scored on 15 of its 41 chances over that span, or 36.6 per cent.
There may be no more dangerous weapon in the playoff field than the Oilers’ power play.
All stats from Sportlogiq
