Oilers 21-22 Year in Review Part 2 - Jay Woodcroft's Oilers

 As I mentioned at the end of my Part 1 of the year in review, Dave Tippet was fired on Thursday February 10th, 2022 and Jay Woodcroft (along with assistant coach Dave Manson) was promoted from the Bakersfield Condors to become Edmonton's interim head coach. As with any new HC, the team wanted to impress Jay. The Oilers played 9 games in February under Jay, and they went 6-3. They won 5 straight games right out of the gate, then lost 2 straight, won one, then lost one to end the month. However, despite the change in coach, the stats say the Oilers were still playing Tippet hockey. The Oilers scored 33 goals (3.77 GFPG) in those 9 games, but allowed 25 (2.78). Powerplay was still struggling, scoring 6 goals on 28 opportunities (21.4%), and the penalty kill wasn't much better killing off 27 of 36 penalties (75%). 

The month of March saw some minor improvements to Edmonton's play. The Oilers played 15 games in the month of March, and their record was 9-4-2. They scored 63 goals in those 15 games (4.20) GFPG) and allowed 48 goals (3.20 GAPG). The powerplay and penalty kill also saw minor improvements, as the powerplay went 12/52 (23%) and the penalty kill went 37/47 (78.7%).

April comes around and this is really where Jay's system starts to pay dividends, not only just for the players, but for the fans as well. The Oilers played 14 games in the month of April to finish their campaign, going 11-2-1. They scored 53 goals in that span (3.78 GFPG) and allowed 33 goals against (2.35 GAPG). Powerplay was clicking at 25% (8/32) and the penalty was stellar, going 92.5% (37/40), probably the best month of the year for the PK. When all was said and done, Jay had done his job. He got the Oilers into the playoffs despite being 5 points out when he was hired. Here is how Jay finished the regular season after he was hired.

GP: 38
Record: 26-9-3
Goals For: 149
Goals For Per Game: 3.92
Goals Against: 106
Goals Against Per Game: 2.78
Powerplay: 26/112 (23.2%)
Penalty Kill: 101/123 (82.1%)

Jay's coaching and style allowed the Oilers to make the Western Conference Finals in the playoffs. Despite being swept by Colorado, it was a close series with 3/4 one-goal games essential (I say that because Colorado did score on an empty net in Game 1). Jay was well worth the call-up (despite Ken Holland admitting he didn't want to do it) and earned himself a contract extension with Edmonton. It'll be interesting to see how the Oilers play under him next year. 

Up next in my series, I'll be doing a year review/preview for every member of the Edmonton Oilers squad. Not sure how I'll release them, but I'll figure something out. Maybe do it alphabetically or something. Anyway folks, take care, have fun, and Let's Go Oilers.