Oilers-Blackhawks: Key statistics for Stanley Cup Qualifier series

NHL.com goes B ehind t he N umbers to identify three statistics for each of the eight best-of-5 series in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers. Today, a look at the matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks.

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Shot attempts differential

The Chicago Blackhawks were 22nd in the NHL in shot attempts differential this season at minus-201, and the Edmonton Oilers were 27th at minus-273. Why is this important? Each team got out-attempted at 5-on-5 during the regular season, suggesting that its 5-on-5 play in the qualifiers may be offset. One difference between the teams is Chicago's advantage in SAT when trailing (plus-120, 14th) compared to Edmonton's (minus-32, 28th). This suggests that the Blackhawks were able to apply more pressure at 5-on-5 when they fell behind. This could help them keep pace with an Oilers offense that includes the League's top two scorers, forwards Leon Draisaitl (110 points) and Connor McDavid (97).

Power play

The Oilers have the clear advantage in this area. They had NHL's No. 1 power play this season at 29.5 percent, with the Blackhawks 28th at 15.2 percent. Draisaitl led the NHL with 44 power-play points in 71 games, and McDavid was second with 43 in 64 games. Oscar Klefbom was tied for 12th among NHL defensemen with 18 power-play points in 62 games, and forward James Neal was tied for sixth with 12 power-play goals in 55 games. One adjustment the Blackhawks could make to improve their man-advantage is to increase rookie forward Dominik Kubalik's power-play ice time. He was third on the Blackhawks with four power-play goals despite ranking ninth among Chicago skaters in power-play ice time per game (1:57). If given a larger role, Kubalik could provide another scoring threat in addition to forwards Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.

Penalty kill

Perhaps coach Dave Tippett's biggest accomplishment this season was helping the Oilers finish with the second-best penalty kill in the NHL at 84.4 percent (San Jose Sharks, 85.7) after finishing 30th last season at 74.8. So what changed? Edmonton's leaders in shorthanded time on ice were forwards Riley Sheahan (154:53) and Josh Archibald (141:37), who each was signed as a free agent last offseason. It's no surprise that Klefbom (154:16) and Darnell Nurse (144:28) led Oilers defensemen in shorthanded time on ice, but it is worth mentioning rookie Ethan Bear was third at 132:17, which also led NHL rookies. For Chicago, which tied the Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins for the eighth-best penalty kill (82.1 percent), goalie Corey Crawford had an .852 save percentage against opposing power plays, which was 38th in the League (minimum 20 games played), compared to Robin Lehner, who was second in the NHL at .918 (Martin Jones, Sharks, .918). The Blackhawks traded Lehner to the Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 24, leaving Chicago to rely on Crawford. The good news for Chicago is that this season seems to be an anomaly for Crawford, who has an .870 save percentage since 2010-11 when facing opposing power plays. If the Blackhawks get slightly better goaltending from Crawford when shorthanded, it could help reduce the gap between the two penalty-kill units.

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