The Edmonton Oilers are playing catch-up early in their first-round matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, and it's becoming clear that old problems are resurfacing at the worst possible time.
After splitting the opening two games of the 2026 playoff series, the Oilers have yet to find their rhythm. The warning signs are mounting—and they look uncomfortably similar to the special teams breakdowns that derailed Edmonton's campaign against Los Angeles last spring.
Star Power Isn't Enough
Connor McDavid, typically the engine that drives the Oilers' dominance, has delivered some of his least impressive performances in recent memory during this series. Meanwhile, key forwards Jason Dickinson and Adam Henrique sat out Game 2, creating additional depth concerns for head coach Kris Knoblauch.
The five-on-five play tells part of the story, but it's what happens on the power play and penalty kill that's truly troubling Edmonton's brass.
Special Teams the Achilles Heel
History doesn't lie. Last season's second-round exit against the Kings was largely defined by undisciplined play and inconsistent execution on both special teams units. The Oilers are now staring down a similar scenario against Anaheim—a team that's proving willing to take penalties and create chaos in tight spaces.
For a franchise built on elite offensive firepower and McDavid's transcendent talent, surrendering games because of preventable special teams mistakes is frustrating. It's also fixable, but the clock is ticking.
The Oilers need to rediscover the discipline and execution that carried them through the regular season. Against a resilient Ducks squad, there's no room for complacency in these early playoff rounds.
Game 3 looms as a critical moment for Edmonton. The Oilers have weathered deeper holes before, but patterns repeated often become habits—and habits in the playoffs typically end seasons.
This story is based on reporting from OilersNation. For additional Oilers coverage and updates, visit OilersNation.com.