The first power play unit of the Oilers is hard to defend. Let's examine why and what you can learn from it.
In my first-ever article on pre-scouting NHL teams, I will break down the 5v3 from the Edmonton Oilers and if you should have a different setup for your 5v4 versus your 5v3. Because let’s put it that way, the Oilers with their first unit, don’t change anything and it is hard to defend. They are the team with the most goal in the NHL at 5v3 for two years now.
Attacking South and Wide
Everyone knows that Connor McDavid will come up high on the blueline, turning inside and attacking south with speed and purpose. How can you stop a player like this on the power play? Now, imagine doing the same thing, but a 5v3. While you are attacking downhill, you attack with purpose, you have the goal line option and if F1 doesn’t do a great job, you can always tag Leon Draisaitl on the other side for the one-timer below the h-mark. When the goal line tries to make a play, the Oilers finish with four players around the net, opening up plenty of options to score a goal.
The seam play with Draisaitl
While you try to contain and protect the middle, it is hard for F1 to be in the shooting and passing lanes simultaneously. Attacking with speed from the outside can play in the head of the opponent. If your 5v4 pp is dangerous and you keep doing the same at 5v3, the opponent will start having nightmares. Watch in this video how the opponent doesn’t know if they have to protect high or low. Coming up with speed allows McDavid to create a deception to make a pass in front of F1 or in the back of F1. And if you pay attention, watch how Draisaitl is sitting on the dot, ready to fire the puck no matter where it is.
Now that we know they don’t change their setup with the 1st unit, let’s see how to defend it. Let’s bring the new part of the series, how to defend or, minimize the damage against this.
Faceoff
Yeah, we all know that, 3v5, you have to win the faceoff and clear it. That way, you can kill a good 15 seconds. Usually, it will not be a clear win so you have to outwork the opponent.
2nd unit
The good thing about having a long 3v5 is, usually they will send the first and second units. What is the good thing about it you will say? The second unit doesn’t have the same structure, is easier to defend, and has less poise than the first one. More predictable and not a lot of good treats out there.
F1 higher
Having your f1 higher and being patient can force a bad execution or, shut down the idea of using the seam play. We can see in this video that the execution is a little bit off because of F1. But the other thing is how patient is F1, not jumping all over the place. Patient in the middle and forcing McDavid to make a play and not, McDavid waiting on F1 for the opening. A couple of bad passes or Draisaitl outside the dots gives you a chance. From there, after each pass. Collapsing to the net and blocking the shot is the key. The more you can keep the shot from outside, the better your chance of killing it.
Closer to the puck carrier
Removing time and space for any skill player is what you are looking for. With less time and space, they have, they don’t feel comfortable playing with the puck and don’t like it. If you want to challenge your team, you can always send your F1 close to the puck carrier with a good stick. Keeping him outside and forcing him with fewer options. But be aware that if you don’t do a perfect job here, the seam play might be more brutal.
