The Edmonton Oilers forward has a different view of the team's recent special teams play.
The Edmonton Oilers forward has a different view of the team's recent special teams play.
EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers have won their 30th game of the season. Last night they defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-3. Led by the hat-trick of Evander Kane while also seeing goals from Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl.
The biggest star of the show was Calvin Pickard, who was able to give the team a chance to win the game while everyone was finding theirs.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8tYekCYBT8[/embed]
"He gave us a chance to find our legs," Draisaitl said to reporters after the game. "I thought he was outstanding again, he's been great for us." Pickard made 24 saves on 27 shots, which would give him a .889 save percentage (SV%) on the night.
Watching the game tells a different story. Pickard made timely saves in the first period that allowed the Oilers to get back into the game. He's been consistently doing that since joining the team.
The most memorable moment from the Draisaitl availability came right out of the gate. Someone said this to him: "the power play hasn't been the best we've seen it the last 12, but they looked very, very focused on that last power play. You guys put together four scoring chances in a minute."
There wasn't really a question asked here, but Draisaitl had his own view of things that he shared.
"I don't know if I would agree with that. Our stats have been (I think), pretty good." After some smiles and chuckles Draisaitl conceded saying, "our [penalty] kill has been the main factor."
He then spoke on the power play's performance against the Ducks. "It was a timely power play. We created a lot of looks. Very sharp. Obviously needed that so it's a big goal for us."
Has the power play really been that bad for the Oilers over the last 12-13 games?
The last 12 games for the Oilers stretches from last night till January 11th. That was the night they won against the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in overtime. In that span of time the Oilers power play had a 33.3% conversion rate.
Only two teams were better than the Oilers, the Vancouver Canucks (34.4%) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (37%). Additionally only three other teams have a conversion rate over 30% during that time frame; the Florida Panthers (32.4%), Montreal Canadiens (32.1%) and the St. Louis Blues (31.3%).
From the eye test it might not seem like the power play is getting "big goals" but that's not the whole story. Having the third best power play in the NHL over the last 12 games is something to hang your hat on.
Not only that, but over the entire season the Oilers power play is still ranked third in the NHL (27.1%). Behind only the Carolina Hurricanes (28%) and the Lightning (30%).
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frDLeu3-bn0[/embed]
If the reporter is speaking historical, then of course the power play isn't the best it's ever been. Last year they had the best power play of all time with a 32.4% conversion rate. But if the season ended today they would have the 21st best power play of all time - which is still impressive given the start this team had.
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