Oilers Secrets Behind Recent Impressive Play

EDMONTON -- Warning, the hype train is leaving the station.

That hype train is for the Edmonton Oilers, who are putting together a tremendous run.

Over their last 10 games, they have been the most dominant team in the NHL. They have figured out both special teams, have found a way to generate a tremendous amount of offense in the second period, and have done it all without being a bruising team.

*Note: All of these stats are from November 20th till December 14th. The Oilers have only played 10 games in this span, but other teams have played 11, 12, and even 13 over the same period. It has been noted when that is the case.

Oilers Special Teams Are Back On Top

The Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final largely because of their success on the penalty kill and power play. Since November 20, they have been a phenomenal special teams club.

With an 85 percent success rate on the penalty kill, they have the second-best penalty kill over this span of time. Only the Chicago Blackhawks have a better PK unit, killing a whopping 93.3 percent of penalties they have taken in their last 11 games.

The Oilers powerplay has also come alive. Since November 20th, they have converted 33.3 percent of their powerplays. Only the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes have experienced more success with the man advantage.

The Hurricanes are doing a smidge better with a 34.3 percent conversion rate, while the Lightning have scored almost one goal per two powerplays they receive (45.2 percent). The Lightning have played 11 games, while the Hurricanes have played 12.

No team has had the best of both worlds. But the Oilers, with the second-best penalty kill and third-best powerplay, are the only team that is even close.

Oilers Are 2nd Period Finishers

No one is better in the second period than the Oilers.

The Oilers have more second period goals than anyone else in the NHL. They rank first with 21 goals scored in the middle frame. The next closest is the New York Islanders. They scored 17 goals in period two and played in two more games than the Oilers.

All eight of the Oilers' wins in the last 10 games resulted from carrying a lead into the final frame. Despite playing in 12 games, the Ottawa Senators have had seven similar wins since November 20th.

As I said, no one is better in the middle frame than Edmonton.

They've Let The Offense Do The Damage

Despite a startling lack of physical play, they have gone on this tremendous run. Fans of heavy hockey may be dismayed at this revelation, but facts are facts.

Since November 20th, the Oilers have recorded only 116 hits. That may seem like a lot, but they average 11.6 hits per game. The Boston Bruins have thrown the most hits in that time, 354. Averaged over their 12 games, they throw 29.5 hits per game.

The Oilers rank dead last in hits. The 31st-ranked team is the Dallas Stars, who have laid 169 hits.

As the Oilers have demonstrated over their last ten games, if a team is committed to excelling on special teams, locking down defensively in the third period, and focusing on playing well instead of chasing hits, they can win hockey games convincingly.

All aboard the Oilers hype train.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.

Related: Oilers Have Many Connections To New Addition

Related: Oilers Continue On With Demotion Carousel

Related: Oilers Keep Rolling With Wild Victory Over Golden Knights

Related: Oilers Defender Plucked By Embarrassed Opponent

Related: Evander Kane's New Recovery Timeline Is A Big Problem

Related: Former Oilers Defender Calls It A Career

Related: What Oilers Josh Brown Recall Means For Evan Bouchard, Alec Regula