Kris Knoblauch is getting heat for one habit that can ruin an Oilers playoff run

Jan 30, 2026 (10:22)

Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl keep dragging the Edmonton Oilers back into games, and it’s starting to feel like a playoff trap.

Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks was pure chaos, down 3-0 after one period, then storming back late.

Leon Draisaitl put up 1-2-3, McDavid added 1-1-2, and Edmonton suddenly looked unstoppable again.

But notice how the push really landed, two goals with Connor Ingram pulled for the extra attacker.

That’s the part that should bug you, because it screams "we can’t get there unless the big guys take over."

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Draisaitl played 25:20 in that Sharks game, and that is a monster workload in January hockey.

McDavid’s season line is 34-60-94 with 23:01 per night, and he’s already hit 28:43 in a recent overtime win.

That’s not "stars being stars," that’s "stars being the plan."

Oilers fans love the wins, but you can feel the anxiety, because nobody wants to watch this team limp into April on fumes.

The playoffs are built on repeated contact, short rest, and coaches hunting matchups until your third and fourth lines get exposed.

If the bench never touches the puck in real moments now, it won’t magically find confidence when the games tighten up later.

Knoblauch said good teams find ways to win, and sure, Edmonton is 28-19-8 for a reason.

The better version of this team rolls four lines earlier, so McDavid and Draisaitl can still have legs when it turns into a grind.

Saturday against the Minnesota Wild is a perfect test, win the first period without a 25-minute night from the superstars.

Previously on HockeyLatest

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JANVIER 30\|169 ANSWERS Kris Knoblauch is getting heat for one habit that can ruin an Oilers playoff run Are Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl playing too much for the Edmonton Oilers?
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