Oilers' Power Play Emerges as Bright Spot in Challenging Season
While the Edmonton Oilers face numerous questions about their performance early in the 2025-26 NHL season, one aspect of their game has reached unprecedented levels of effectiveness. The team's power play unit has become more lethal than ever, providing a silver lining amidst concerns about goaltending, defense, and even-strength play.
Statistical Dominance on the Power Play
Through the first 15 games of the season, the Oilers are generating 1.77 Grade A shots per two-minute power play opportunity, representing peak performance for the historically strong unit. This efficiency has translated to tangible results, with Edmonton converting on 35 percent of their power play chances, ranking second in the entire NHL behind only the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The current production marks a significant improvement over previous seasons. During the 2022-23 campaign, which previously represented the high watermark for the power play, the team averaged 1.43 Grade A shots per two-minute power play. Last season saw a decline to 1.18, making this year's rebound particularly noteworthy.
Individual Excellence Driving Success
The power play's resurgence is fueled by outstanding individual performances from the Oilers' core players. Connor McDavid leads the unit with ten power play points, while both Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have contributed nine points each.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has elevated his game to new heights this season. The veteran forward is contributing to 1.23 Grade A shots per two minutes of power play time, a dramatic increase from his 0.53 rate last season and 0.66 the year before. His improvement stems from slick passing, a deceptively quick shot, and winning crucial puck battles.
McDavid has also raised his level of execution, increasing his major contributions to Grade A shots from 1.06 per two minutes last year to 1.47 this season. Defenseman Evan Bouchard has shown increased lethality on the power play as well, despite some concerning miscues at the blue line that have led to short-handed goals against.
New Faces Making an Impact
The power play success extends beyond the established stars. Jack Roslovic has emerged as a revelation since joining the top unit, providing a dangerous presence in the high slot with his quick releases and clever passing. His integration has been so effective that he may maintain his role for weeks or months to come, reminiscent of when Corey Perry earned power play time over Zach Hyman last season.
David Tomasek also performed admirably on the power play during absences of other players, but Roslovic's red-hot play has solidified his position. The addition gives the unit what amounts to a second Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, enhancing its versatility and threat level.
The power play proficiency has become particularly crucial given the team's struggles during 5-on-5 play. At even strength, the Oilers have generated only 150 Grade A shots while allowing 165 against. However, with the man advantage, Edmonton has created 53 Grade A shots compared to just 31 against, highlighting the stark contrast between their special teams and even-strength performance.
As the Oilers continue to search for consistency throughout their lineup, the power play remains a weapon of mass destruction that gives them a chance to compete every night, regardless of other shortcomings that need addressing as the season progresses.
