Since the calendar turned over to 2023, the Oilers have deployed an 11-and-7 formation in seven of their nine games. They are 0-2 when using six defenders and have allowed 11 goals in their two games, compared to 6-0-1 with 16 goals conceded while using seven D-men.
With an extra defender in the lineup, the Oilers have been relying on some young players stepping up including Evan Bouchard, Philip Broberg, Vincent Desharnais, and Markus Niemelainen.
Broberg has been especially good with three assists and a plus-11 rating since Jan. 5.
"I think we all have been playing really good hockey so far, and I think as a team, we've taken a step here lately, so we got a continuing building on that," Broberg said about the young defenders.
While the youngsters have been showing they belong in the NHL, they have been able to rely on veterans like Tyson Barrie, Darnell Nurse, and Brett Kulak to help demonstrate what it takes to stay in the league for a long time.
"They're great players and good mentors off the ice too," Broberg said. "If you need to talk to somebody, they're always there. It's been great for us, and we have a great group of guys in here."
Barrie was singled out by the Oilers coach after morning skate for his contributions both on and off the ice. The 31-year-old leads all Edmonton blueliners with 32 points (5G, 27A) in 47 games this season and is well known for being a vocal 'glue guy' in the locker room.
"I think Tyson has a big voice in our locker room and he carries a lot of weight, so it's important that he plays well. I think coming up last February, I thought he gave us really good minutes. I think he doesn't get enough credit for playing the game well defensively, which he's done for our coaching staff here," Woodcroft said about the blueline's elder statesman. "I think he's one of the best power play quarterbacks in the National Hockey League. He's found a chemistry with our top players in the that regard, but he doesn't get enough credit when he's at the top of his game defensively. We're going to need that, and we're going to need it as we work through these games, as we work from now until game 83."
-- Michael Arcuri, EdmontonOilers.com