We have no second line..
Blackhole1-McDavid-Blackhole2
4th line a
4th line b
4th line c
Line with Holloway might be 2nd best
Not entirely true, the Oilers are incapable of playing a defensive system in front of an average goaltender that is totally dependant on defensive structure. The skill level of the players only gets you so far when they refuse or are incapable of playing within a defensive structure.
The team has to be able to play
mistake free hockey, at least make less mistakes than the other team, and have an elite goaltender.
The description above is what Florida has accomplished.
I knew before the season started which players had to be flushed, that Woodcroft had to be replaced with a coach that demanded mistake free hockey within a defensive schematic. Unfortunately that talk wasn't permitted on these boards.
And Holloway doesn't play with any defensive structure to his game so don't go making a hero out of this player. This is a misconception. Playing with speed and heart isn't winning the Oilers bugger all.
Florida sits back and waits for the players playing with "speed and heart" to play without structure, knowing that they will make mistakes and turn over pucks at the most inopportune times.
I'd go so far as to say the Edmonton Oilers system is best described as, "playing without any identifiable structure".