Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers’ search for the perfect forward group hits a critical juncture as Zach Hyman’s imminent return threatens to shake up Kris Knoblauch's lineup. Can Oilers depth players like Andrew Mangiapane, Jack Roslovic, and Matthew Savoie carve out consistent roles, or will roster crunches force tough AHL demotions?  Nick Zararis breaks down Knoblauch’s delicate balancing act, ranking which Oile...

Edmonton Oilers struggle to find their winning identity as questions mount about their defensive structure and shaky goaltending. Can Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s elite talent overcome inconsistent team performance, or are deeper issues holding the team back from Stanley Cup contention? Nick Zararis breaks down the Oilers’ middling offensive production, Chris Knobloch’s tactical decisions,...

Edmonton Oilers stumble again as star power fails to translate into victories are they truly built for contention or just caught in a cycle of frustration? Nick Zararis dissects the Oilers’ latest shootout loss against the Dallas Stars, spotlighting key moments from Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Jack Roslovic. The episode questions if talent alone can carry Edmonton, as weak goaltending and...

The Edmonton Oilers collapse again this time blowing a 2–0 lead to the St. Louis Blues. Host Nick Zararis breaks down the good, the bad, and the ugly from another frustrating night for the Oilers, including:  Why Calvin Pickard’s early saves weren’t enough  How Edmonton’s 877 team save percentage is tanking their season  The truth about Evan Bouchard’s defensive struggles  Jack Roslovic’s bright s...

One month into the NHL season, the Edmonton Oilers are somehow sitting first in the Pacific Division but the underlying numbers tell a much different story. Host Nick Zararis breaks down what’s really happening beneath the surface: the poor 5-on-5 offense, inconsistent goaltending, and what it all means for Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the Oilers’ Stanley Cup hopes.  🏒 Why the Oilers’ 6-7...

The Edmonton Oilers blew a 3-1 third period to the New York Rangers, ultimately losing in overtime. The Oilers continue to struggle in October, can Edmonton find its identity before it's too late? Host Nick Zararis breaks down the Oilers defensive meltdown that saw Evan Bouchard Darnell Nurse and Stuart Skinner all make critical mistakes in the final frame that gave the Rangers the back door back...

The Edmonton Oilers are starting to find their rhythm and Kris Knoblauch’s forward trust rankings are showing exactly who’s earning ice time. In today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down how Knoblauch is sorting out his top six, why Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Mangiapane are carrying heavy minutes, and how Jack Roslovic and Vasily Podkolzin are turning heads with Leon D...

The Edmonton Oilers rallied from a 2-0 deficit to dominate the Utah Mammoth in a statement victory that could be a sign of things to come. Is this the turning point in the Oilers search for an identity? Host Nick Zararis breaks down the brilliance that setup Mattias Ekholm's momentum building goal and Ike Howard's strong work on the forecheck to tie the game at two. The analysis covers why this ga...

The Edmonton Oilers are struggling early: Bad luck or systemic issues? Analyzing underlying stats reveals shocking truths about the team's performance. Host Nick Zararis breaks down the Oilers' clunky' start, focusing on their low-event hockey style and transition play problems. He examines how Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's deployment impacts offensive output, and proposes intriguing line co...

The Edmonton Oilers a month into the season are struggling to play consistent hockey. Are Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl capable of being a two man team? Host Nick Zararis dissects the Oilers current woes, analyzes their low-event type of play and its impact on the team's performance. Nick examines recent games against the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks, highlighting individual efforts bu...

The Edmonton Oilers pulled a rabbit out of their hat in a thrilling 6-5 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Was this a sign of highway robbery or a sign of championship DNA? Host Nick Zararis breaks down the rollercoaster game analyzing the Oilers' inconsistent performance and their reliance on individual brilliance. Nick explores the team's struggle to gain offensive zone time and play cohesively in...

The Edmonton Oilers' forward hierarchy revealed: Who does Knoblauch trust the most? Nick Zararis breaks down the Oilers forward lineup, using ice time, responsibility and role to measure coach Kris Knoblauch's trust. From fringe players like Curtis Lazar to the most trusted Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the discussion covers each player's role so far this seasaon. The conversation covers how young talents...

The Edmonton Oilers are struggling to find a consistent form despite a lucky win in overtime against the Ottawa Senators. Can the team overcome its early season struggle and begin to make progress in a long season? Join host Nick Zararis for this breakdown of the Oilers 3-2 overtime win over the Senators highlighting their reliance on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in dictating the outcome of t...

The Edmonton Oilers face a crucial personnel issue in the performance of defenseman Darnell Nurse. Host Nick Zararis breaks down Nurse's performance in the early stages of the Oilers' season revealing concerning impacts on the team's stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Nick explores the complex team dynamics surrounding the situation and why it isn't just as easy as Kris Knoblauch changi...

The Edmonton Oilers early season struggles have devolved into a full blown slump. Can the star-studded lineup led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl find a way to turn the corner soon? Host Nick Zararis breaks down the Oilers struggles, analyzes their disappointing performances against the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings. Nick covers the defensive lapses, transition woes, power play stru...

The Edmonton Oilers stumbled on Long Island Thursday night. Can they bounce back against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday? Host Nick Zararis breaks down the Oilers disappointing loss in their worst performance of the season. Nick highlights Evan Bouchard's costly early turnovers, Stuart Skinner performing well despite the loss and the fluidity of the Oilers lineup. The discussion covers the impac...

The Edmonton Oilers lineup is a work in progress, what does it tell us about Kris Knoblauch's thinking? Host Nick Zararis breaks down the Edmonton Oilers recent lineup choices including Kris Knoblauch's tinkering after just three games. Nick explores the new look third line that's got a high floor in Trent Frederic, Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin and why Frederic was demoted from the first l...

The Edmonton Oilers shocked the New York Rangers in an opportunistic 2-0 Victory. Is this win a sign of things to come for Edmonton? Join host Nick Zararis on this edition of Locked on Oilers for a a break down of the Oilers' performance , highlighting Stuart Skinner's shutout and Trent Frederic's clutch breakaway goal. The discussion covers the Oilers' ability to take advantage of key moments des...

The Edmonton Oilers signed forward Jack Roslovic to a one year deal over the weekend adding to an already deep forward group. While Roslovic brings a former first round pedigree and a couple of 20-goal seasons to the table, the former Jet, Hurricane, Blue Jacket and Ranger has never really carved out a long-term role at the NHL level. While the Oilers may not have a lot of room, Roslovic's speed a...

The Edmonton Oilers responded to their season opening loss well with a 3-1 bounce back win over the Vancouver Canucks. While the Oilers had a hard time scoring on Canucks' goalie Thatcher Demko, the Oilers stuck with it and continued to work hard to wear down their division rivals. With goals from Noah Philp and Andrew Mangiapane, the Oilers put their hard hats on and grinded out a strong early se...

The Edmonton Oilers dressed six new faces in their opening night lineup from last season on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames. Although it was only one game, host Nick Zararis gives his early impressions of the team's new faces and what to make of their usage early.  5:13 Mangiapane's role and potential impact  15:25 Howard's promising NHL debut performance  20:06 Regula's potential to replace...

Edmonton Oilers stumble in season opening loss to Calgary Flames. The Edmonton Oilers were rolling through two periods with a 3-0 lead over their provincial rivals that started to dissipate on the back of a few, isolated mistakes that ended up in the back of the net. Host Nick Zararis breaks down the Oilers first game of the regular season, including debuts for David Tomasek, Matthew Savoie, Ike H...

Connor McDavid's two year deal is a game changer for the Edmonton Oilers. Consensus best player in the world Connor McDavid voluntarily took less money in his two year deal and puts the onus to win on the organization with a defined timeline. Host Nick Zararis breaks down the implications of McDavid's decision to take less money and a shorter term and explores how this reshapes the Oilers' future...

The Edmonton Oilers once again enter an NHL season as the betting favorites to take home the Stanley Cup (+800 on Fanduel) but have a long journey to go. On today's edition of Locked on Oilers, host Nick Zararis walks through the best, worst and most likely scenarios for the Oilers season the day before they hit the ice for the first time. With such high stakes, and so many variables at play, this...

The Edmonton Oilers are gearing up for another deep run, but how does the rest of the Pacific Division stack up? Host Nick Zararis breaks down every team from the rebuilding Sharks and struggling Kraken, to the intriguing Ducks, Flames, Canucks, and perennial contenders like the Kings and Golden Knights. 🏒 Topics in this episode: Why the Sharks’ rebuild around Macklin Celebrini could pay off The...