Edmonton Oilers Superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl Have Perfected the Powerplay Formula That Terrifies Every NHL Opponent
There’s a certain kind of inevitability that settles over a hockey arena when the Edmonton Oilers head to the powerplay. It’s not just the excitement of a man advantage; it’s the unmistakable sense that something clinical, even surgical, is about to happen. That feeling isn’t a coincidence. It’s the result of years of elite talent, relentless refinement, and the dazzling synergy between two of the most dominant offensive forces in modern hockey — Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Together, they have turned Edmonton’s powerplay into one of the most feared weapons in the NHL.
The numbers speak for themselves. Over the past few seasons, the Oilers have consistently led or ranked near the top of the league in powerplay efficiency, often flirting with historic benchmarks. Their powerplay unit has not only been effective — it’s been revolutionary. What makes it all the more impressive is that it isn’t a one-man show. It’s a masterclass in chemistry, anticipation, and positional awareness, executed by a core group of superstars who seem to read each other’s minds on the ice.
Connor McDavid, widely regarded as the best player in the world, brings an element to the powerplay that no one else can replicate. His skating ability alone forces penalty killers into a constant state of reaction. Give him an inch, and he’s already blown by. Back off, and he’ll dissect the defense with a no-look pass or a sharp-angle snipe that makes highlight reels for weeks. But McDavid isn’t just fast — he’s thoughtful, measured, and aware of every moving part around him. That makes him the perfect engine for a powerplay unit.
Opposite him stands Leon Draisaitl, a player whose skillset complements McDavid’s in almost eerily perfect fashion. If McDavid is the chaos, Draisaitl is the control. His one-timer from the right faceoff circle has become a signature move, often drawing comparisons to the greats of the game. Goalies know it’s coming, defenders know it’s coming — but stopping it is another matter entirely. Draisaitl’s ability to find soft spots in the penalty kill formation, combined with his lethal shot, makes him one of the most dangerous powerplay scorers in NHL history.
What makes the Oilers’ powerplay so effective, however, isn’t just individual brilliance. It’s the way these superstars operate within a structured system designed to exploit every possible weakness in opposing penalty kills. The unit often includes Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, whose quiet consistency and crisp puck movement offer balance, as well as Zach Hyman, who crashes the net and creates chaos in front of the goalie. Add in a quarterbacking defenseman like Evan Bouchard — who has grown into the role seamlessly — and you have a five-man unit that can score in countless ways.
One of the key characteristics of the Oilers’ powerplay is its unpredictability. While many powerplay units rely on set plays or fixed positioning, Edmonton thrives on motion. McDavid might start at the half wall but cycle up to the point in seconds. Draisaitl drifts in and out of shooting lanes. Nugent-Hopkins rotates through the bumper spot. The constant motion and puck support force defenders to constantly adjust, often leading to breakdowns in coverage and wide-open scoring chances.
Another crucial element is timing. The Oilers don’t rush plays, and they don’t panic under pressure. Instead, they patiently move the puck, waiting for defenders to bite or overcommit. It’s a brand of composure that comes from repetition, trust, and the belief that the opportunity will come — it always does. When it does, the passes are crisp, the release is instant, and the goal horn is almost a foregone conclusion.
Of course, much of the credit goes to head coach Kris Knoblauch and the team’s coaching staff, who have leaned into the strengths of their stars rather than over-coaching the unit. Unlike some systems that attempt to overcomplicate the powerplay with rigid structures, Edmonton’s coaches have given their players freedom within a framework. It’s a philosophy that recognizes the uniqueness of players like McDavid and Draisaitl — you don’t limit brilliance, you empower it.
Opponents, meanwhile, are left with very few answers. Traditional penalty killing strategies — the box, the diamond, even aggressive pressure — often fail against Edmonton because of the sheer skill and decision-making speed of their top players. Press too hard on McDavid, and he slips the puck through traffic to a wide-open Draisaitl. Collapse toward the slot, and Bouchard finds Hyman on the doorstep for a greasy rebound goal. Try to shade one player, and another one steps up. The Oilers simply have too many weapons to contain for an entire two-minute stretch.
What’s particularly striking is how the powerplay serves as a momentum shifter. Teams might dominate five-on-five play for several minutes, only to watch the Oilers score seconds into a powerplay opportunity. It’s demoralizing. One mistake — a hook, a trip, a puck over the glass — and the game can change completely. No team in the NHL turns penalties into punishment quite like the Oilers.
The trust between the players is also evident. McDavid and Draisaitl have spent years building their chemistry, often playing together and apart depending on the situation. But when they share the ice during the man advantage, it’s like watching two masters at work. They anticipate each other’s moves not by chance, but through relentless practice, in-game experience, and mutual respect. That connection is what elevates their powerplay from great to unstoppable.
And let’s not forget the supporting cast. Nugent-Hopkins may not generate the headlines, but his vision, passing, and ability to slip into scoring positions give the powerplay depth. Hyman’s role cannot be overstated — his net-front presence often draws defenders away from the passing lanes, opening up space elsewhere. And Bouchard, now more confident and decisive than ever, has given the unit a reliable threat from the blue line, adding another layer to their attack.
While much of the league tries to replicate Edmonton’s success with the man advantage, few teams have the personnel or cohesion to do so. The Oilers’ superstars don’t just execute a powerplay — they redefine it. They don’t rely on one trick, but rather a flowing series of options that can beat teams in multiple ways. Whether it’s a cross-ice laser from McDavid, a one-timer from Draisaitl, or a gritty rebound from Hyman, the results are usually the same: a red light behind the goalie and a crowd on its feet.
It’s also worth noting how the Oilers’ powerplay performances have shifted playoff games. In the high-pressure environment of postseason hockey, where goals are harder to come by, special teams often become the difference. Time and again, Edmonton has relied on its powerplay to bail them out of tight spots or seize control of a game. It’s a luxury most teams don’t have, and it’s a testament to the preparation and poise of their elite players.
Critics may argue that the Oilers’ reliance on the powerplay can be a double-edged sword — that they need to be just as dominant at even strength. But that argument often ignores the larger truth: the powerplay isn’t a crutch for Edmonton — it’s a weapon they’ve earned, honed, and mastered. The league has taken notice, and so have the fans. When a referee’s arm goes up, signaling a penalty against the opposition, the reaction in Edmonton is almost celebratory. It’s not “if” they’ll score, but “how soon.”
Looking ahead, the Oilers will undoubtedly continue to build around this core, refining and adapting their powerplay to stay ahead of the evolving defensive strategies. But as long as McDavid and Draisaitl are healthy and locked in, there’s little reason to believe this unit will lose its edge. In fact, with younger players developing around them and a coaching staff that understands how to optimize their strengths, the powerplay may only get better.
For all the noise around systems, analytics, and tactics in today’s NHL, sometimes success comes down to the simple reality of having players who are just better than everyone else. Edmonton’s superstars know their way around a powerplay not because they follow a script, but because they write their own — one goal, one shift, one dazzling display of talent at a time.
In a league defined by speed, skill, and strategy, no group exemplifies all three quite like the Edmonton Oilers with the man advantage. It’s not just effective — it’s must-watch hockey. And as long as their superstars continue to work their magic, the Oilers’ powerplay will remain one of the NHL’s most unstoppable forces.
