Despite riding a historically strong power play in the 2023-24 NHL Playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers still fell to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.
Glen Gulutzan, friend of The Coaches Site, handles the Oilers power play, and it’s an oversimplification to say his job is easy because of two generational players in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Make no mistake, it’s an advantage. Yet Utah, without McDavid or Draisaitl, had a more productive power play this past season. It was an off year for the Oilers on the man advantage finishing 12th overall.
Gulutzan has been on record many times saying he prefers to get out of the way of his star players. McDavid and Draisaitl, along with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman and Corey Perry, and Evan Bouchard (taking the reigns from the departed Tyson Barrie) no doubt appreciate the freedom.
But too much freedom can be a challenge in its own right. It’s Gulutzan’s job to enforce just the right amount of structure, which is a lot more difficult than it sounds for two of the best hockey players the game has ever seen.
During the 2024-25 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Oilers have been scoring on the power play at opportune times. Their overtime goal in Game 1 against the Florida Panthers followed a similar process to a goal scored against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final.
Puck Support
The Oilers are scoring goals because they’re supporting the puck. They rotate into a high 2-3 and create odd-man situations at the net, and I’m sure this terminology has come up in meetings, but Gulutzan has them supporting the puck because he knows their skill and instinct will eventually take over.
OT Winner: Stealing From Rugby
Teams are trying to pressure the Oilers heavily to take away their time and space. So, like rugby, players are moving close to their teammates to receive multiple handoffs. Eventually the opponent will run out of players first. Watch as all four of his teammates touch the puck before Draisaitl eventually seals the deal. Nugent-Hopkins climbs the wall to give Bouchard an outlet. Seeing Nugent-Hopkins under pressure, Corey Perry finds space low for a pass and uses the Florida pressure against them to make a slick slip pass to McDavid, who takes care of the rest with an otherworldly saucer pass to his Ride Or Die.
Young players often want to spread out on the power play because they want maximum time and space. It's counter-productive.
Move towards the puck, get the puck, and then make a play.
Gultuzan has this Oilers power play unit running in time with a concept borrowed from another sport. They have undeniable skill, but he has them in positions to use that skill. The Oilers don’t need time and space. They’re thriving in tight quarters because they have support everywhere.
They’re just playing a small area game out there.
