This in from host Dan Powers of the Empty Netters podcast out of Los Angeles, his musing about whether the Colorado Avalanche, down 3-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights, can come back in their series, something the Kris Knoblauch-coached Edmonton Oilers almost managed to do in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
Powers gave credit to Knoblauch for the Oilers near miraculous comeback against the Florida Panthers: “I think that there are some coaches who are phenomenal with in-game adjustments. I actually want to give Knoblauch a little stroke off. Knoblauch, two years ago, when the Edmonton Oilers were down 3-0, made remarkable in-game adjustments in that series, which then got it back to a Game 7.”
My Take
1. Knoblauch's Performance
Knoblauch did plenty right as Edmonton Oilers coach, and numerous factors outside his control were partly responsible for his dismissal as head coach. That said, if the Oilers had quickly been able to sign Bruce Cassidy as the new head coach, I think most Oilers fans would be happily looking ahead to next season, the past given barely a thought. But Cassidy’s signing has been blocked by VGK. There’s now some doubt about whether the Oilers can find the right coach to replace Knoblauch.
2. Colorado's Struggles
It’s also the case that the might Avs of Colorado have been brought low by a major injury to superstar Cale Makar, with star centre Nathan MacKinnon also now banged up. The Avs have looked entirely beatable without Makar, just as the Oilers looked entirely beatable against Anaheim with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both on the limp and not able to execute sharp and violent turns at high speed. The idea that Knoblauch was fired simply because his two best players were injured at the wrong time is taking on more narrative weight due to the current Colorado issues.
3. Bittersweet Memory
The Knoblauch Era with the Oilers will always be remembered in bittersweet fashion — and it’s not surprising to see the Florida comeback is top of mind just now for Powers. Edmonton’s Stanley Cup Final turnaround in 2024 was indeed remarkable, even as it fell short. In his time with the Oilers, Knoblauch built a reputation for learning as a series went on and finding a way to help his team comeback to win series. In the 2024 Final, he did push a few right buttons, but having now gone over all the Cult of Hockey game grades and reports from that series, it’s evident that Knoblauch’s most critical move in helping to reverse Edmonton’s fortunes was correcting a major, self-inflicted mistake from his own coaching staff.
4. Defensive Adjustments
In the 2024 playoffs, the Oilers struggled to find a partner who could have success with Darnell Nurse. Heading into the series, Nurse and his long-time partner Cody Ceci had been out-scored 5 goals to 12 during the first three rounds. Nurse had also been tried with Brett Kulak, but out-scored 1 goal to 3, and with Vincent Desharnais, 2 goals to 8. Nurse and Kulak started to play together as Edmonton beat Dallas in six games in the Conference Final. But for Game 1 against Florida, Knoblauch and Paul Coffey reunited Ceci and Nurse. They promptly went out and were culprits on two goals against in a 3-0 opening game loss to Florida.
