It’s a relatively normal 1-2-2 with a F1 up the ice and the remaining forwards holding the centre ice line. The defence standing up at the blue line. However, as the series has progressed this system has changed. It is still modestly a 1-2-2, but could also be considered a 1-4 and even a 0-5 sometime.

Why are they doing this? I think it is a self-evident. As each game progresses, the fatigue level for the Kings goes up especially on their defenders. So, a natural way to help your defence group is play more conservatively and force dump-ins where all five players are back to assist. Take a look at this clip here and notice the subtle difference.

Note where F1 is on the forecheck: back at centre. Look at the remaining forwards who are more towards their own blue line. Finally, the defence aren’t even interested in holding the blue line at this time. They are willing to trade that for the potential to get a quick retrieval and exit.

In the end this shift required the Kings to spend more than a minute in their own zone before finally exiting.

However, I think the coaching staff of the Kings is willing to make this sacrifice because they are so strong on the rush counter attack. Watch this whole shift because I think this is what the Los Angeles Kings are trying to accomplish. Notice the passive neutral zone with all five players down around their blue line with no press.

The Kings were playing to get a quick retrieval and exit. They almost succeed. However, they don’t and they give up a good chance against. Then comes the key part. Watch when they do get the puck how quick they are to get on the attack. It’s almost an immediate 3v2 from their blue line. While the play breaks down, it was not far off from succeeding.

I believe this is the series in one clip. The Kings are going to play nine forwards and four defence heavily. As such, they are going to trade their neutral zone play and rely on their strong rush attack that has burned the Oilers all series. This is why I wrote if the Oilers do not find a solution to this rush attack, it could end the series for them. This will be the series from here on out I believe.

The Oilers Counter

The Oilers struggled to manage this change in the Kings neutral zone game for a while. Often you would see them getting picked off at the blue line or one player trying to skate through all give Kings. However, that started to change in Game 4 and by the third period it was evident the Oilers had some solutions to apply. The Oilers did run three types of plays against this more passive neutral zone. The first was a drop back pass to a forward in flight from a defender with the defender then moving up ice to run a screen allowing the puck carrier entry into the zone. Here is a great clip with Bouchard doing just this with Connor McDavid.

The second way is not fancy, but just plain old hard work. Get the puck into the zone deep with your forwards moving with pace. To do this, the defence retrieval needs to happen quick and the puck needs to get up ice fast. This allows the Oilers group to beat the Kings set-up in the neutral zone, but also have their players moving north quickly which allows for a strong forecheck.

The final way is something I’ve been advocating for since the start of the series. A more layered attack with the weakside defenceman being involved in the attack. This allows the Oilers to switch sides as they move up the ice. The result is not allowing the Kings to pinch off a puck carrier on the strong side in the neutral zone. Instead, the Oilers defenceman can access the zone before making a play. Watch this example from Brett Kulak, who was brilliant again.

I thought this was a very effective tactical change by the Oilers. The Kings made a switch and the Oilers recognized it and have brought some solutions to overcome the change. Assuming the Kings carry on with this style of neutral zone, the Oilers will need to continue to execute these plays with success.

The Kings’ Rush

The one part of the game the Oilers continue to struggle with is the Kings rush. Last night saw a couple more goals against that came off this Kings mentality. The most talked about play was the Evan Bouchard toe drag attempt. Here is the play again.

The Oilers just have to be aware at all times that the Kings will counter. Bouchard, here, needed to read the Kings defender had his stick to the inside and he needed to go to his strong side. There was no Oilers net front, so I understand not shooting. However, make the move to forward hand or put the puck down low. Either was a better choice. From here, Bouchard and Nurse to a degree just didn’t do a good enough job on defending the rush counter. Goal against.

However, there was also another, more subtle example. In this one, the Oilers do half the job. They stem the attack at the blue line, but then two Oilers make the mistake of assuming the Kings will not continue up ice. Connor Brown is the first. He tries to handle a puck without enough awareness of his situation. The second is Darnell Nurse who is the last man back. When you are last man back, you must stay in the middle of the ice protecting the slot until your team is moving back up ice. He slides out to the side and Warren Foegele just keeps wandering to the net unabated. Again, both players took their foot off the gas pedal thinking the Kings would not continue to press up ice on a loose puck.

While the Oilers maybe have some solutions on the Kings neutral zone, so far the Kings rush attack has remained unsolved. Until it is solved, the Kings are going to get plentiful high danger looks which will have negative consequences for the Oilers.

My Continued Infatuation with the 2-3 offence

The Oilers second goal was just another reminder of how the 2-3 offence can create in so many ways. Watch this whole play involving Evan Bouchard. McDavid comes up top and gets the puck to Bouchard. Draisaitl then follows back up top and McDavid starts to race back down. In the meantime, Bouchard gives the puck to Draisaitl and just casually slides down to the slot with Warren Foegele kinda checking him, but not really. The rebound comes straight out into the slot and because three of the Kings are pushed away from the slot with only Foegele defending, Bouchard gets a crack at the puck.

Was it a fortunate bounce. Sure. However, the Oilers created this opportunity for the bounce by their splendid offensive zone attack.

The Tying Goal

I applaud Jim Hiller for defending his player. He should. He did. You should respect it. That said, no coach would ever coach Quinton Byfield to make this play. There was so little risk to him chipping it out and chasing it up ice for a potential empty net goal. The Oilers were pressed up in the zone and there was not a lot of chance for them to recover a chip. Byfield made the play. He will not make it again.

Brilliant play by Evan Bouchard. Did it save the series? Time will tell, but it certainly had consequences on this game.

Game 5 Thoughts

Score the first goal on Tuesday. I doubt the Kings have lost much confidence. They were close in both away games to wins. However, the team is also playing a limited roster. A first goal by the Oilers in game five might cause some mental awareness in the Kings that hasn’t been present. Awareness that they might be vulnerable.

The Oilers need to solve the rush attack by being more patient in the zone. They don’t need to make quick strike plays without proper support. More 2-3 offensive zone play would help because it allows for another Oilers to be above the puck in case of a transition play.

I also liked the work on the penalty kill. I think Evan Bouchard can be very valuable on the penalty kill. The Kings are not a physical team and especially in the five forward setup. He has length to breakup seam plays. He also has great puck skills to make tough exit plays under pressure. In addition, I love the idea of the Oilers forward attacking the Kings forwards when they are going back to retrieve the puck. Having to face the glass behind your own net is an unnerving experience for a forward. More pressure could cause more issues for the Kings before they get started.

That’s it for the Game 4 review. Enjoy the day off. See you here on Wednesday.