Kris Knoblauch believes the Edmonton Oilers’should have won’ against the Anaheim Ducks despite their lack of players.

The Edmonton Oilers, a team built around the world-class talent of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and other elite players, has always been a club with high expectations. With their offensive firepower, they are capable of competing with anyone on any given night. However, as the Oilers have learned in the past, a team’s strength is not solely dependent on its stars. The broader team dynamic, depth, and performance across all four lines are just as important, especially during critical games. In one such game, Kris Knoblauch, the Oilers’ assistant coach, voiced his frustrations following a tough loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Despite the Ducks being a rebuilding team, and Edmonton missing key players, Knoblauch made a bold statement that the Oilers “should have won.”

The Context of the Loss

When the Edmonton Oilers faced the Anaheim Ducks, many viewed the match as an opportunity for the Oilers to bounce back from a tough stretch of games. The Ducks, a team in the midst of a rebuild, are generally not considered contenders in the league, and the Oilers, despite their own challenges, entered the game as clear favorites. However, injuries and player absences had left the Oilers with a more fragile lineup than usual. Players who were expected to step up in the absence of the team’s regular stars were either not yet ready for the responsibility or failed to perform at the expected level.

Despite these setbacks, the Oilers’ loss to the Ducks raised more questions than answers. How could a team with such a talented roster lose to a rebuilding squad that was supposed to be in the midst of a long-term rebuilding phase? Kris Knoblauch, the Oilers’ assistant coach, weighed in on the issue following the defeat, and his comments left a lasting impression on fans, media, and players alike.

Knoblauch, who has been with the team for a while and has vast experience coaching both at the NHL and AHL levels, pointed out that despite the lack of key players in the lineup, the Oilers should have found a way to secure a victory. For him, this loss wasn’t just about missing key contributors, it was about the lack of execution and the failure to capitalize on opportunities.

Missing Players: A Challenge, but Not an Excuse

In the NHL, teams often face challenges due to injuries, suspensions, or players being out for personal reasons. For the Oilers, the absence of key players is something that they have had to navigate in various stretches of recent seasons. While McDavid, Draisaitl, and others provide elite-level talent, it’s the depth and cohesion across the team that often determines a team’s success. In this particular game, the Oilers were missing some of their key pieces, and Knoblauch acknowledged that these absences certainly posed a challenge for the team.

However, his belief that the team “should have won” despite these setbacks speaks to a broader philosophy about team resilience and the need for all players to contribute, no matter the circumstances. Knoblauch’s comments highlighted the importance of execution and effort, rather than relying solely on star players to carry the team through difficult moments.

The Oilers were missing significant pieces, but this does not mean they lacked the talent to overcome the Ducks. Even with injuries, the team still had multiple players who were capable of stepping up. In his remarks, Knoblauch was clear that the Oilers had the tools to succeed, but that failure to execute and the inability to seize key moments ultimately led to their downfall.

The Oilers’ Struggles with Depth

One of the most glaring issues exposed in this game was Edmonton’s struggle with team depth. Despite boasting some of the league’s best individual talents, the Oilers have faced consistent challenges in building a complete, well-rounded team that can contend at all times—regardless of player availability.

The game against the Ducks was emblematic of these challenges. The Oilers have repeatedly shown that when McDavid and Draisaitl are firing on all cylinders, the team can be a juggernaut. However, if one or both are neutralized, or if injuries to secondary players take away depth options, the Oilers have found it difficult to consistently perform.

In this particular instance, the absence of key players left a gap in the lineup that was hard to fill. However, as Knoblauch pointed out, even with those missing pieces, the Oilers had enough talent to overcome a team like the Ducks. The lack of performance from certain role players was disappointing, as it demonstrated the Oilers’ continued inability to generate sustained pressure or shut down their opposition without their star players carrying the load.

The depth on the Oilers has been a question for years, and it’s a recurring theme that comes up in moments like these. The team has built a strong top six—both in terms of forwards and defensemen—but beyond that, the secondary contributors are often inconsistent. The lack of balance in the bottom six has hampered the team’s ability to compete during the season and has hurt them in the playoffs, where depth is critical.

Knoblauch’s Leadership and Philosophy

Knoblauch’s comments regarding the loss to the Ducks reflect his broader philosophy on coaching. Having spent years in various coaching roles, Knoblauch understands that in order to build a successful team, players need to take responsibility for both their individual performances and their collective efforts. His assessment of the Ducks game was not just about the physical players who were missing, but also about the mental approach that the team took into the game.

One of the key aspects of Knoblauch’s coaching philosophy is instilling the belief that every player has a role to play, regardless of the opponent or the circumstances. In this case, despite the Oilers’ absences, he emphasized that the players who were available needed to step up and contribute. For Knoblauch, a game against the Ducks—despite their rebuilding status—should never be considered a guaranteed win. Every game requires full focus, execution, and the will to win, regardless of the opponent’s situation.

This leadership philosophy is one that transcends individual talent and is central to building a cohesive team culture. Knoblauch’s comments were not meant to minimize the challenges faced by the team, but rather to highlight that the Oilers still had enough firepower and talent to defeat the Ducks if they were able to execute the game plan properly.

Player Accountability and Team Performance

In his analysis, Knoblauch focused on the lack of accountability and execution, two areas that have often plagued the Oilers in recent years. While the team can rely on McDavid and Draisaitl to carry much of the load, the expectation is that the entire team will rise to the occasion when key players are missing. The absence of these stars often forces others to step into more prominent roles, and it is during these moments that a team’s depth and character are truly tested.

The loss to the Ducks was a reflection of Edmonton’s need for greater accountability, especially when injuries or absences arise. While McDavid and Draisaitl are arguably the best tandem in the league, they cannot win games on their own. As Knoblauch implied, it is not enough for the Oilers to rely on their stars when key contributors are absent; the team must also find ways to overcome adversity through teamwork, resilience, and determination.

The Ducks’ victory over the Oilers, in part, stemmed from their ability to capitalize on the mistakes Edmonton made. The Oilers failed to execute properly in key moments, leading to missed opportunities and turnovers that allowed Anaheim to take control of the game. Knoblauch’s comments underscored the point that, regardless of the roster situation, execution is paramount to winning in the NHL.

Moving Forward: What Needs to Change

The loss to Anaheim serves as a stark reminder of what the Oilers need to address in order to contend for a Stanley Cup. Even with star players like McDavid and Draisaitl, Edmonton’s lack of depth and reliance on their top players remains a significant issue. The team will need to figure out how to develop more balanced lines and ensure that role players can step up when needed.

Knoblauch’s leadership and approach are important for building a culture of accountability and execution. The Oilers need players in the bottom six to be more consistent, and the team must develop more depth on both the offensive and defensive sides of the puck. While McDavid and Draisaitl will always be the centerpiece of the team, the Oilers cannot afford to be a one-dimensional squad. They need to be able to win games when their stars are not at their best.

Knoblauch’s comments should serve as a wake-up call for the players. The Oilers have the talent to compete at the highest levels, but without the necessary team performance and execution, they will continue to fall short. Whether it’s strengthening the bottom six, developing more consistency, or simply finding a way to close out games, the Oilers need to find a way to avoid situations where they “should have won” but didn’t.