{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/yPOrortf.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Edmonton Oilers' site editor Caleb Kerney talks about Cody Ceci & Brett Kulak's need to improve limiting high danger chances against their goaltenders.", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/yPOrortf-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/yPOrortf.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/yPOrortf.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yPOrortf-6BqRsIZU.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 264805, "filesize": 14365685, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yPOrortf-9v74kdqA.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 396129, "filesize": 21490019, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yPOrortf-6y7sVmmt.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1757316, "filesize": 95334445, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yPOrortf-49yBiHwd.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113551, "filesize": 6160168 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yPOrortf-ckztByCT.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 513403, "filesize": 27852127, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yPOrortf-p1MW43gx.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 958709, "filesize": 52010017, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Edmonton Oilers defense wasn't bad last year, but you can always improve. The biggest focus for them this season is preventing goals against - and the defenders need to give their\ngoaltenders the best chance to make those saves. The best way to achieve this is by limiting high danger chances." } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NDgzNjg4MTg1NDA2OTE1/usatsi_20232038_168401874_lowres.jpg" }, "caption": "Cody Ceci." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Now expected goals against is a metric calculated by assigning a value to each shot that is taken based on location, type, distance, and some other factors the defensemen who had the worst expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) and Corsi against per 60 (CA/60) were Brett Kulak and Cody Ceci. Kulak was the worst in both metrics.\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Former Oilers Who Are Still Free Agents" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "But when you think about his play, the first thing that comes to mind is just how quick he is. He's arguably the best skater on the Oilers blueline. He also makes simple plays that allow him to move the puck out of the zone economically." } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NDAzMzc2MDU1MDY4NTAx/usatsi_20539064_168401874_lowres.jpg" }, "caption": "Brett Kulak." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "One big thing with Kulak is his percentage of shorthanded time on ice. His shorthanded time on ice went up 11% in 2022-23. If he plays less on the penalty kill and more at even strength, his expected goals against (and high danger chances against) could improve. If Philip Broberg really gels with Mattias Ekholm, I could see him getting a lot of those short handed minutes instead of Kulak." } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NjExODkwMjc0ODM3OTU1/usatsi_19794448_168401874_lowres.jpg" }, "caption": "Philip Broberg." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It will take the players over a month to get acclimated once the season starts. By then we will get a tiny glimpse into how the Oilers shift the defence pairings in order to limit those high danger chances against. The team is hungry to win now and will do everything they can to achieve that." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Oilers' Skinner Will Not Fall Victim to the Sophomore Slump" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Underrated Oiler Makes a Surprising Appearance at the Biosteel NHL Camp" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Oilers' Skinner & Campbell Tandem Could Be One of NHL's Bests in 2023-24 " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Oilers Are All Smiles at First Captain's Skate" } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjEwNDU3NDc0NTczNDIw/my-thn-ad-banner-1500x150.jpg" }, "caption": "https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\n" } } ] }

Oilers' Key Defenders Need to Step Up This Season