Oilers' Ryan McLeod shows signs of life after meeting with Ken Holland
In the midst of the NHL playoffs, Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan McLeod has started to make his presence felt, stepping up his physical game during the crucial opening game of the Western Conference finals.
This adjustment in his style of play has drawn significant attention and praise, especially highlighted in a recent discussion on the OilersNation podcast.
Previously less noticeable in the postseason, McLeod's enhanced aggressiveness on the ice, evidenced by his contribution of four impactful hits, has injected much-needed vigor into the Oilers' lineup. This shift has come at a pivotal time, particularly as Edmonton grapples with scoring deficiencies within their third line�a key concern if they are to counter the Dallas Stars' well-rounded roster.
However, the physical aspect of McLeod's game, while advantageous in Game 1, also carries risks. The podcast hosts stressed the necessity for McLeod to maintain consistency in his aggressive play without crossing the line into penalty territory, a balance that is crucial for sustaining his enhanced role without becoming a liability.
Recalling a recent blunder, McLeod's performance in Game 7 against the Vancouver Canucks was marred by a critical turnover that led directly to a goal by Conor Garland. This mistake resulted in Coach Knoblauch benching McLeod for the remainder of that decisive game, highlighting the fine line McLeod walks between being effective and counterproductive.
Statistics underline the challenges McLeod has faced this postseason; through 13 games, he has yet to mark the scoresheet, carrying a -4 rating. The pressure is on for the 24-year-old forward to break this slump. With Edmonton counting on all lines to contribute offensively, McLeod and his linemates are under scrutiny to elevate their game, find their scoring touch, and secure more ice time.
As the Oilers gear up for Game 2 tonight at 8:30 PM Eastern, all eyes will be on McLeod to see if he can maintain his physical edge and start contributing points to back it up. This could be his opportunity to turn around what has been a challenging playoff performance thus far.
| POLL | ||
Can the Oilers' third line, which includes Ryan McLeod, ever break through? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 71.9 % |
| No | 9 | 28.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
