Edmonton Oilers key statistics

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, three key statistics for the Edmonton Oilers.

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1. 5-on-5 save percentage

The Oilers had a .912 save percentage at 5-on-5 last season, tied for 25th with the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights and Toronto Maple Leafs, and were last among the 24 teams in the NHL Return to Play Plan (.856). Goalies Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen are expected to return this season. Smith, who agreed to a one-year contract Oct. 10, had a .903 even-strength save percentage that tied Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers for 51st among the 57 goalies to play at least 20 games last season. Koskinen was at .921, tied for 21st with Antti Raanta of the Arizona Coyotes, Jaroslav Halak of the Boston Bruins, Pavel Francouz of the Colorado Avalanche and Semyon Varlamov of the New York Islanders.

2. Power-play percentage

The Oilers led the NHL in power-play percentage during the regular season (29.5 percent) and were 29.4 percent during a four-game loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the best-of-5 Stanley Cup Qualifiers. Their regular-season power-play percentage was the best of any team since the 1978-79 Islanders (31.2 percent). Forward Leon Draisaitl led the NHL with 44 power-play points and center Connor McDavid was second with 43. McDavid was first with 10.37 power-play points per 60 minutes, and Draisaitl was second at 9.67 among players to average at least 2:00 per game on the man-advantage. Defenseman Tyson Barrie, who agreed to a one-year contract Oct. 10, is sixth at the position in power-play points (67) since 2017-18 and could help Edmonton maintain its elite power-play percentage this season.

3. Penalty-kill percentage

The Oilers were second in penalty-kill percentage last season (84.4 percent) behind the San Jose Sharks (85.7 percent). Edmonton allowed 31 power-play goals, tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for fewest in the NHL despite averaging 4:47 of shorthanded ice time to Columbus' 4:07. Despite struggling at even strength, Smith was among the top goalies on the penalty kill with a .915 save percentage that was fourth among those to play at least 20 games, and Koskinen was sixth at .902. To maintain a strong kill, the Oilers may want to use a similar timeshare between Smith and Koskinen again this season.