Oilers’ Kris Knoblauch Abuses Isaac Howard In Loss To Avalanche – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

With one game left in the regular season, the Edmonton Oilers are without Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Janmark, Zach Hyman, Jason Dickinson and Max Jones. Hyman may return in their final game, while Draisaitl is expected to return in time for Round 1 of the playoffs. Jones is out three to four weeks, Janmark is out for the season, and Dickinson is still to be determined.

This injury gives other players a chance to commit. Isaac Howard was recalled to the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) on April 12, and was in the lineup Monday night against the Colorado Avalanche. This was his 29th game of the NHL season, with two goals and five points in that span.

Related: 4 Takeaways From Oilers’ Shootout Loss to Avalanche

He was placed on the second line alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jack Roslovic. However, knowing coach Kris Knoblauch, that doesn’t mean anything. The 22-year-old still finished the game with just 9:56 of ice time. He started the game well, registering three shots in the first half, his only shot of the tournament. He moved his feet as he reached the net. That was his best time in the NHL. Unfortunately, Knoblauch did not reward him for his efforts.

This has been a theme for the Oilers bench manager. He relies too much on his veterans and doesn’t give enough opportunities to young players. Howard should be playing more than Adam Henrique at this stage of his career. Howard is a talented offensive player, but he hasn’t been allowed to show it yet. With key players injured, this was a great opportunity to give him more minutes in a variety of situations, but Knoblauch failed to do so.

Howard Should Have Seen Time on the Power Play

Without Draisaitl and Hyman, why didn’t Knoblauch give Howard a look on the power play? With the exception of Wednesday’s (April 8) game against the San Jose Sharks, it has struggled without its dangerous weapons. They used Matt Savoie, Vasily Podkolzin, and Roslovic as substitutes, but with little success. They haven’t found anything that works yet, so checking with Howard won’t hurt.

Howard’s shooting is his best attribute, and aside from Evan Bouchard, Edmonton doesn’t have a pure shooter on the top unit. The Oilers had an extended 5-on-3 in the third period, tied at one, and did not capitalize. They were passive and didn’t bring enough pucks to the net.

Howard would solve that problem. He loves to shoot, and there’s tons of space during a two-person setup to create and shoot. He could have been used as a one-time option, similar to Draisaitl. However, he was not even used in the second unit during their unusual rotation.

Howard Should Have Had an Overtime Shift

Howard was supposed to have an overtime shift as well. Connor McDavid and Nugent-Hopkins started the extra frame, followed by Savoie and Roslovic. Then, Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen jumped on the boards. Kapanen took a penalty for interference with the goalkeeper. The Finnish midfielder has had a torrid five games and should not have been rewarded with an extra-time substitution.

Howard’s speed is likely to be a key asset in overtime. Instead, Knoblauch played it safe, as he usually does, and went with predictable choices. While Podkolzin has had a good season, his game doesn’t match up well in 3-on-3. Although he works hard, he lacks the necessary puck-handling skills to be successful in the extra frame. Howard has the speed, shooting, and puck skills to succeed in that position.

Puck touches are important for a talented young player, and he could have had more in a man-up in overtime. He needs to gain confidence to develop his creativity, and there is no better way to do that than in these different situations.

Howard worked hard in the AHL to refine his offensive game while improving the defensive end, but played less than 10 minutes in Knoblauch’s program. Something needs to change in the way a coach uses young talent. He must give the young players enough opportunity to learn from his mistakes, because that is the only way they will improve.

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