David Tomasek has consistently found openings on the power play, though he's yet to convert. Codie McLachlan / Getty Images
The Edmonton Oilers began the 2025-26 regular season 1-0-1, meaning the team will avoid starting 1-3-0 for the third year in a row. There are some encouraging signs for a franchise looking to get younger without losing momentum and ensuring a good seeding. Several new names have emerged. There's also some early indications that players who were injured for much of last year have returned to health. Finally, shot suppression at five-on-five has been elite in the early games. Here's a look.
One of the major changes in the team through two games is the increased reliance on unproven NHL players. Through two games, Noah Philp is averaging 10:46 per game at five-on-five -- slightly more than Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (10:23) and significantly more than veteran Adam Henrique (9:22 per game).
Kris Knoblauch is running Philp's line in the regular rotation and fading Henrique's line, despite the actual goal share for the Philp line (1-3) being a net negative. The Oilers have played two home games, so Philp's line might receive fewer opportunities during the coming road trip, but the usage of Philp as a significant centre represents a change year-over-year.
The Oilers are giving Philp a chance to find his way.
One of the big question marks surrounding this season was Knoblauch's deployment of Matt Savoie and Ike Howard. The coach discussed depth roles at five-on-five, with enough special teams opportunities to keep both players in the game. So far, both wingers are getting to see the ice often enough to make the investment worthwhile.
At five-on-five, Savoie is delivering impressively through two games. Averaging 10:21 per game, his shots per 60 (11.59) leads all Oilers forwards, and his high-danger chances per 60 (8.7) is second to Connor McDavid's. Howard has been on the Henrique line, where offence happens less often. He is averaging 9:50 per game at five-on-five and is delivering 6.1 shots per 60 and 3.05 high-danger chances per 60.
The road trip might see each given less opportunity at five-on-five, but those who were concerned about Knoblauch's embedding these players have to be heartened by early returns. Savoie is getting one minute per game on the power play and 1:20 on the penalty kill. He is establishing himself as a useful player for the team in all areas. Howard has received one minute of power-play time in two games.
The overwhelming story on the Oilers' power play this season is David Tomasek's large number of fantastic chances. Through two games, he has six shots and seven high-danger chances, not one of them finding the net. The coaching staff has to be impressed with his ability to find quiet ice and get into ideal scoring position, but Tomasek will need to score on some of those chances to stay on the top power play. He was stoned time and again by Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko on Saturday night.
During the final two games of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, it was clear the top pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard did not play at its best. Injuries over the long season had taken their toll, and with Ekholm's age (36), there was some question about his being able to bounce back completely.
Early indications are positive. Through 30 minutes at five-on-five, the tandem has been on the ice for one Oilers goal and none against, with a shot share of 26-6 and an expected goal share of 83 percent. Ekholm looks to be back to his rugged best, and Bouchard has delivered his patented outlet passes despite some chaos defensively.
The Oilers suffered in the Final due to this pairing being not at its best. The first two games of the season have served as a reminder of just how dominant Ekholm-Bouchard can be when healthy.
From the start, Knoblauch identified Trent Frederic as the player to replace Zach Hyman on the No. 1 line with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Aside from two or three great looks in front of the net, Frederic's performance hasn't met expectations.
His roster spot isn't in jeopardy, but Frederic occupies prime roster real estate, and some of the wingers below him on the depth chart are pushing. Savoie is especially effective with his aggressive forechecking and passing ability.
Frederic is on the line to serve as a complementary scorer but also as a physical presence, and that's the area of the game he has not delivered since arriving in Edmonton. Last year, it was a high ankle sprain that kept him from delivering as a hitter and agitator. This year?
It's just two games, but more is expected.
The NHL continues to be the one professional league that encourages lesser players to steamroll its stars. An example came Saturday night when Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers speared McDavid. NHL Player Safety announced a $2,500 fine on Sunday for the infraction, but in doing so sent confirmation that impact players can be beaten down physically with little pushback from the NHL.
Come spring, rules violations like Myers' will be long forgotten, but the impact on the league's elite players can last an entire season. The league has long since abandoned any notion of calling the rulebook, preferring to call the score. If the game is close, plays like Myers' spear often go uncalled because of it. The cumulative effect on the NHL's best can and does impact playoff success.
Two games isn't enough sample to make any claims, but the Oilers' shots-against per 60 (17.59) at five-on-five is the best in the NHL through Sunday. Miles to go, and last year's SA/60 at five-on-five (26.06) was No. 11, so the team has been good in this area for some time. Still, the first two games have been rock-solid defensively.
Two games is a snapshot, and a blowout result in one of the road games this coming week could skew the numbers for weeks. That said, the roster is as advertised defensively, and the worry over running McDavid-Draisaitl is easing. That may change on the road, but Philp's line and Savoie's performance are encouraging. If Tomasek can score on the power play, the list of newcomers having a positive impact will grow.