The Oilers & No Whistles? Edmonton’s Round 1 Officiating Problem

Old Prof May 2, 2025 in Banner News, Edmonton Oilers, Featured, NHL Tagged Edmonton Oilers - 3 Minutes

According to Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch, if there are three certainties in life, it’s “death, taxes, and being upset with refereeing.” And that third certainty has felt particularly pointed during the Oilers’ first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers are simply not drawing penalties. Why not?

While Knoblauch didn’t take the bait and criticize the officiating, his comments after Game 5 offered a revealing window into a frustration that’s quietly simmering behind Edmonton’s bench. It’s also bugging Oilers’ fans.

Oilers Had Possession Without Reward

One of the most surprising dynamics in the Oilers-Kings series has been the special teams disparity — and not in the way you’d expect. The Oilers are not drawing penalties. Funny, known for having the best power play in the NHL, Edmonton has not had the advantage in power-play opportunities. In fact, the Kings have had 50% more power plays in the series so far.

That stat alone might not raise eyebrows — except for one detail: Edmonton has dominated at 5-on-5. According to analytics, the Oilers have led the series in puck possession and expected goals. They’ve spent significantly more time in the offensive zone than L.A., tilted the ice in their favor, and dictated much of the play at even strength.

Knoblauch admitted he’s “a little surprised” the numbers haven’t translated into more calls.

“When you talk about the possession and the expected goals, I am a little surprised that we haven’t had a power-play advantage in any of these games,” he said. “But overall, I think the officiating has been doing a tremendous job.”

It’s a diplomatic answer — part praise, part raised eyebrow.

For Knoblauch, It’s Been a Consistent Inconsistency

This isn’t the first time the Oilers have found themselves at the center of officiating debates during the playoffs. Connor McDavid, arguably the most dominant skater in the world, has long been a lightning rod for discussions around missed infractions. The fact is that McDavid is too fast, too strong, and too hard to officiate fairly.

This year’s series has followed a familiar script: high possession, few penalties drawn, and a fan base wondering how the whistles get swallowed at the worst times.

And it’s not just about numbers. It’s about the type of penalties that get called — the timing, the flow of the game, the missed slashes, holds, and interferences that slow Edmonton’s high-tempo game down without punishment.

Knoblauch acknowledges this universal frustration:

“Whether you’re a coach, a fan, or a player — you’re always upset. Throughout the series there are always going to be missed calls, whether they’re called against you or not called in your favor.”

For Knoblauch, there is a disparity in the penalty calls.

Knoblauch Sees a Tilted Ice With Uneven Calls

To Knoblauch’s credit, he has focused on his team’s play, not officiating. Despite his subtle jabs at the numbers, he consistently returns to a theme. “The referees have been doing a tremendous job.”

The Oilers aren’t crying foul — but they’re clearly puzzled. When a team dominates possession, drives expected goals, and lives in the offensive zone, the law of averages says they should draw more penalties. That hasn’t happened.

As the Oilers head into their second-round series, they hope the officiating levels out. Because when the best power play in NHL history isn’t getting chances, something isn’t quite adding up — and the Oilers know it. They will need it against a big, tough team like the Vegas Golden Knights.