Tippett showed his flaws during the round with Chicago. Hopefully he has common sense enough to leave his successful lines intact and not experiment. It seemed like he got arrogant that they would steam roll Chicago so he could tinker and it won't matter.
That was my initial judgment as well, that Tippet was out coached and made some ill-fated roster choices and lineup decisions. However new information has been disclosed since the season abruptly ended. Circumstances may have further impeded the team. Examine these circumstances to fully put the play-in failure into context.
We now know Klefbom was injured and not particularly pleased with the return to play; both of these points are documented. We know Larsson was injured, maybe he shouldn't have played at all. He played only two games in the play-ins.
If you couldn't foresee the blue liner's misfortune being greater you would be wrong. Both Russell and Benning were recovering from substantial concussions last season. Russel missed 14 games during concussion practicals. Benning, suffered two concussions, missing 24 games. Can we say either of these players were at the top of their game? I don't think so.
Breaking up the RNH, Draisaitl & Yamamoto line still seems like Tippet may have out coached himself but Draisaitl looked disinterested most of the series. A bold claim I will make is that after McDavid and RNH, James Neal was the third best forward in the play-ins for the Oilers. That shouldn't have been the case.
Not to be overly critical of Mike Smith, but unless Koskinen was not ready to go, Koskinen absolutely should have been the starter in game one. If Tippett was betting on Smith to save his bacon, he lost that bet and he should have known better because journalists and pundits alike all predicted Chicago needed to dump the puck and take advantage of Smith's overaggressive play... but my point stands about 4 starting defensemen not being ready to play.
We shouldn't have lost to Chicago but if the cards were stacked against the Oilers from the very start of the play-ins I'm willing to pardon Tippett and give him a fresh start this upcoming season.