It's no secret <a href='https://www.nhl.com/oilers/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the Oilers</a> are once again struggling out of the gate this year, and head coach Kris Knoblauch believes he knows exactly what has caused this. The Edmonton Oilers have boasted the NHL's most dominant power play over the course of the last six seasons. They have their foundation in Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, while the addition of Zach Hyman four years ago gave them that gear. At the 2023 trade deadline, Evan Bouchard finalized what seems to be an unstoppable lineup, replacing Tyson Barrie as quarterback of the power play. Even when they aren't finding the back of the net, they seem to always manage to flip the momentum in their favor by just consistently pressuring their opponents. And more often than not, when they do score, the opposition gets gun-shy and is less apt to play as aggressively, lest they take another penalty. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Isuckatpicking/status/1848904499202777302'> </a></blockquote></div> The thing is, Edmonton's secondary power-play unit is pretty much the hockey version of an urban legend, more rumor than actual, everyday reality. It's often spoken of as hockey's Bigfoot: it's an entity that's supposed to exist, but most fans and analysts never actually see the impact. And, honestly, the Oilers haven't really had to over the years. Operating mainly off that top unit has worked out pretty well for them, even helping them set records, like their 32.4 percent rate this season. Lately, however, it's as if the team has come to rely too heavily on that success. Kris Knoblauch is ready to switch everything up and create more of a balance on the special teams for tonight's game. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1850578979067199789'> </a></blockquote></div> The frustration of a slow start to the season finally started to get to head coach Kris Knoblauch, who made some changes recently. Following a 2-for-19 start to the season on the power play, <a href='https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/knoblauch-breaks-up-oilers-struggling-power-play/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Knoblauch juggled the units in practice</a> on Wednesday, a clear indication his patience had worn out, and it paid off as Edmonton won the game. Knoblauch has every intention of returning with the same game plan. A balanced special teams is going to help the Oilers win than simply going with one heavily loaded top special teams line. Even the fact that <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-new-addition-could-be-the-key-to-unlocking-powerplay-success' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the Oilers had success early in the season on the power play</a>, including a McDavid goal against Carolina on a beautiful give-and-go with Draisaitl, wasn't enough to win. With the team at 2-4-1 in the early going, it was time for him to do something, which he did, and that win got the Oilers to within one game of .500 with a 3-4-1 record. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1850543080669147302'> </a></blockquote></div> Yes, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-make-unexpected-roster-change-for-tonight-as-team-struggles-to-start-the-year' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>early-season struggles for the Oilers</a> forced some re-evaluation of their power-play strategy. That is on the players, as Leon Draisaitl himself acknowledged. While the shakeup probably is not permanent, one thing is certain: this team needs to adapt to win. It remains to be seen if these adjustments will prompt a turnaround tonight once again.