The Edmonton Oilers are an offensive machine with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They are currently top eight in the league for goals scored, and most goals scored at even strength.

Here’s how they generate offence off the rush.

1. McDavid’s speed

Let’s start with the most obvious example.

It’s not really a tactic or something as a coach you have to address with your team, but having someone who can skate like McDavid can really help on rushes.

Let’s admire the speed of McDavid in the following clips.

2. Sneaking behind the opponent

I could have put this one as transitional play more than entries, but I like it this way. Passing is so important, but having options and timing is more important in my opinion.

Notice how quick the forward is taking off to try to beat the defenceman. By doing this, the defender has to make a decision — follow him or try to cut off the pass. In both clips, they were able to make a perfect pass and score a goal.

3. Middle lane drive

Some things in hockey never change.

The middle lane drive by F2 is a tactical aspect that will often have success. What I like about the Oilers here is they are using the middle with and without the puck. With the puck, they are going nose-to-nose and kick out after.

Without the puck, they stay available as long as they can and if they don’t receive the pass, they are going hard to the net and are able to generate offence that way.

4. Entries at 3

Edmonton is good at having numbers on the rush. They usually have three players, and sometimes even four attacking together. Another thing they are good at is working the defenceman on a 2v1. They try to have their F2 close to the F1. They can do a hook pass or chip behind the defenceman.

Lastly, their top six have so much poise with the puck that the opponent is often trying to react to the play they just made, instead of forcing them to make a bad play.

5. D joining the rush

When you have Darnell Nurse and Tyson Barrie on your team, you can ask them to join the rush to support the offence. One of their strengths is to see the play developing in front of them and make the decision to jump in and support the offence from their defensive zone. What I like about Edmonton is they use the strong and weak side as well.

Again, it’s hard to defend when there’s a threat on both sides.