Oilers' Depth Players Shine in Playoff Race

0:00For the NHL, it's March 12th. Here's what's happening. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an update. The Edmonton Oilers have won three of their last four games, but they are in a tight race in the Western Conference. To stay in the Playoff Hunt, they need to lean on their depth players more than just their stars, like Conor McDavid and Leon Dryzidal. Those top guys log heavy minutes every night, which helps with scoring, but risks fatigue, and injuries as the playoffs near. The bottom six forwards and third pair defensemen are stepping up despite less ice time, proving the team has real balance. Take Vasili Podkosen, who averages just over 15 minutes per game, yet has a career-high 29 points and leads the team in hits. Then there's Matt Savoy in his first full NHL season, playing around 14 minutes with 25 points in 65 games, showing speed and steady improvement. Coaches should give more shifts to players like Frederick and Colton Dock on the fourth line, who have created chaos together lately.

1:01On defense, Ty Emberson delivers solid, hard-hitting play no matter his partner, helping cover top defenders mistakes. With a long road ahead, including potential deep playoff runs, the Oilers will be stronger if everyone contributes. Spreading minutes keeps the stars fresh and makes the whole roster tougher to beat. A quick thank you to our sponsor of today's episode. Do not just fall asleep. Drift into what you are listening to, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.