The Edmonton Oilers are currently grappling with a recurring issue that has plagued the team for quite some time: a shaky defense. This problem was glaringly evident in their recent 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Dallas Stars.
From the get-go, it appeared the Oilers had the upper hand. Their control of the game in the first period suggested a strong night ahead, utilizing defensive pairings that had been effective since Game 4 against the Canucks. However, things took a turn for the worse in the second period when the coaching staff decided to shuffle these pairings.
The previously solid duo of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard remained untouched, but changes were made elsewhere. Darnell Nurse paired up with Cody Ceci, while Brett Kulak and Vincent Desharnais formed another pairing. This shift led to confusion and disarray, allowing the Stars to score three goals within just over three and a half minutes.
The reshuffling particularly affected Ekholm and Bouchard, who were caught off guard on the first two goals. Further issues arose when Nurse and Desharnais struggled to clear the puck, leading to Wyatt Johnston’s third goal. Although Adam Henrique managed to score late in the second period, the Oilers couldn’t recover, with Ceci and Nurse notably isolated on Jason Robertson’s goal in the third period.
A significant factor in the Oilers’ loss was their inability to score a fourth goal and regain the lead. The team’s defensive woes primarily stem from struggles to effectively clear the puck out of their zone.
Beyond Ekholm and Bouchard, the other defensemen have shown considerable limitations. Ceci and Desharnais struggle with handling the puck, and despite Kulak and Nurse being somewhat better, they too face their own challenges.
Particularly concerning is the performance of Darnell Nurse, who despite his hefty $9.25 million salary, has not lived up to expectations, especially since his contract extension took effect in the 2022-23 season. The Oilers had hoped Ekholm’s arrival would bolster Nurse’s performance, but his contribution in the postseason has been lacking.
Ekholm, Bouchard, and Kulak have been crucial to the Oilers, preventing what could have been early playoff exits. Conversely, Nurse, Ceci, and Desharnais have shown significant weaknesses, with their performance ranking low among playoff defensemen over the past two seasons.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff points out that Nurse, in particular, has been a central figure in the Oilers’ defensive struggles. His play has deteriorated, marked by a lack of control and defensive positioning, further highlighted by his minus-12 rating through 15 playoff games, which overshadows the cumulative minus rating of leading players from the other three playoff teams.
The Oilers find themselves at a critical juncture. With Nurse at the forefront of their issues, adjustments are imperative. Though the solution seems straightforward—improved play from Nurse and Ceci—the reality is far more complex.
As the Oilers prepare to face the Stars again, all eyes will be on how they address their defensive challenges in hopes of leveling the series. Whatever steps they take could very well define the course of their postseason journey.
