Oilers Mistakes Provide Valuable Insights for the Toronto Maple Leafs

#2: The Oilers' Top Guns Played Way Too Much

Down the stretch in Game 7, the Oilers players looked gassed. McDavid and company had essentially played the last six minutes of the third period, leaving them running on fumes during the last minute or so.

Meanwhile, the Panthers deployed defensive unit after defensive unit, keeping the Oilers in check.

All told, McDavid played over 25 minutes, Hyman 24, Draisaitl 22, Bouchard nearly 28, and Ekholm 26. In contrast, fourth-liner Derek Ryan played just a touch under seven minutes in the entire game.

Like the previous points, having more than one credible scoring line would have allowed the Oilers to rest McDavid and Draisaitl down the stretch.

That strategy would have allowed Knoblauch to load the top unit for a six-on-five empty net situation with a couple of minutes to go.

In Toronto’s case, the club must prioritize building a legitimate second line. Assuming that Matthews and Marner play on the top unit, the second line must be lethal.

The combo of Nylander and John Tavares didn’t seem as effective as needed. Perhaps the Leafs could target a solid second-line centre, moving Tavares to the wing. A second line of a legitimate top-six center, Tavares and Nylander on the wings, would be enough to keep opposing head coaches up at night.