The Edmonton Oilers haven't been much of a physical team this season, but Coach Knoblauch has recently pushed back on a narrative that the team is soft.
The Oilers have currently on pace to set a new low with hits registered this season, but Coach Knoblauch doesn't believe it's indicative of success or much else at all.
Oilers coach Knoblauch pushes back to narrative that team needs to hit to be successful
While the team has been pacing all season for a very low hitting year, Coach Knoblauch has said how much it doesn't bear anything onto the team's success - and came with the numbers to prove it this time.
Today he presented me with a couple stats.Last 12 Oiler losses- they out hit the other team 11 times.
36 Oiler wins this season, they've been out hit in 32 of them.
With these stats, Knoblauch accurately points out one simple fact about hitting - you can't have the puck to lay a hit. When the Oilers win, they often have far less hits than their opposition, and control the play much more while their opponent chase.
In addition, the Oilers have lost some of their leading hitters this season that contribute to a lower total on the year. Evander Kane led the team in hits during the regular season, and Dylan Holloway was second in playoff hits only behind Sam Bennett.
The Oilers will get a physical boost with the return of Trent Frederic, but at the end of the day, they don't need to be punishers to win hockey games.
They're a high skill team that wins on their offence, and while they do need some physicality for the playoffs, it's never an indication of success.
