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Why Matt Savoie can help unlock the Oilers’ offence

Originally posted on Oilersnation | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 8:39 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers haven’t exactly started this season with the high-octane offence we’ve come to expect from the two-time defending Western Conference Champs. Seven games in, they’re only ranked 26th in the NHL in goals per 60 minutes. Matt Savoie getting a shot on the top line with McDavid and Draisaitl might be just what they need to turn it around.

The Oilers have ranked first in the NHL in High-Danger shots for three consecutive seasons, according to NHL EDGE’s shot zone maps. So far in 2025-26, they rank 15th. The team went through stretches last year where they reverted to an over-abundance of point shots when things weren’t going their way offensively. Ultimately, though, they never went too long without getting back to their game and finding ways to attack the middle of the ice.

According to SportLogiq, shots from the perimeter go in around 3% of the time in the NHL, whereas shots from the inner slot go in roughly 22% of the time. That’s the main reason why shot rates have been declining in the NHL over the past several years, as teams pass up on low percentage looks to try and generate from the slot and inner slot.

Via The Nation Network

The Oilers have been Stanley Cup contenders for the past few years because they’ve won the inner slot battle consistently. In 2018, SportLogiq claimed that teams that generated more from the inner slot than their opponents won the game 57% of the time. It is the ultimate winning formula in today’s game.

Clearly, the Oilers need to start using the middle of the ice again. That’s where Savoie comes in. NHL EDGE has him marked down for 5 high-danger shots, which places him in the 67th percentile league-wide despite playing limited minutes. Luck hasn’t been on his side from a finishing perspective, but he’s been one of the few consistent crease-crashers on the team.

He has more high-danger shots than Vasily Podkolzin and Andrew Mangiapane despite much lower TOI at 5-on-5 and relatively few opportunities to play with the team’s best playmakers and offensive drivers.

On Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators, Savoie picked up his first point of the season, assisting on the game-winning goal. Thursday night against the Habs marks his first chance to play with McDavid and Draisaitl on a regular line. McDavid had high praise for Savoie’s game.

“You can tell, obviously, it’s all there. He’s got all the tools,” McDavid said. “As I said, (he) skates really well, he’s a big engine, handles pucks well, shoots as well, checks a lot of boxes. So it’s only a matter of time.”

Indeed, the captain is right. It is only a matter of time before the dam bursts for Savoie. Evolving Hockey ranks him 18th in the NHL this season in individual expected goals per 60 at 5-on-5. With his ability to drive to dangerous areas and now the chance to play alongside McDavid and Draisaitl, it feels inevitable that the goals will start to follow.

This article first appeared on Oilersnation and was syndicated with permission.

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