https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pbZePtexak
Final Score: Oilers 7 – Ducks 1
Wow! Now that is how you bounce back from the heartbreaking loss on Friday. The Oilers biggest win of these playoffs couldn’t have come at a better time, being on the heels of a defeat that stung worse than any other has in the past 10 years. With the victory, the Oilers live to fight another day.
Wednesday, in Anaheim, Game 7. It is hard to describe the feeling, knowing that this team has another chance after everything that has transpired. But, I am getting ahead of myself, lets first take a look at the gem that was this evening’s game. Hell, gem may be an understatement.
And to think, prior to puck drop, the vast majority of Oilers fans were stricken with nerves. Not only would these boys have to fight back after having suffered that devastating loss, but they would have to find a way to do it without 2 of their top 4 defencemen. We had known all day that Sekera was too hurt to play, but it took until warm-ups to discover that Klefbom would be joining him in the stands.
*Gulp* And who would be playing in place of them? Eric Gryba, who hasn’t had any game action since game 1 of these playoffs, and Griffin Reinhart who hasn’t had any NHL action at all this year, despite an impressive season in the AHL. *Double Gulp*
So no, the situate entering the game wasn’t one that inspired a whole lot of confidence. Plus, even without the lineup adjustments, how were we to trust that fate and luck would go our way after 2 straight games of incredibly poor luck?
Thankfully, the Oilers and us passionate fans would get our answer on the whole luck thing just a couple minutes in on Leon Draisaitl’s first goal. Busting in on a breakaway, it wouldn’t be a snipe show or slick deke that would beat John Gibson, but rather a fanned shot. Answer given.
Leon lights the lamp, part one. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/JYrc4dgxja
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 7, 2017
From that point on, the Oilers would not only dictate the pace and tempo of the game, but even the bounces seemed to be willed in their favour. Leon would follow up his first goal, with another one of his own just a few minutes later. And then Kassian. And then Letestu. And then Letestu again. Wow.
Leon lights the lamp, part two. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/moQv2aOOqp
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 7, 2017
A 5 goal first period? It was Edmonton’s night, no doubt about that. So much for worrying about that 3rd pairing of defence, hey? Jaw dropping results.
About those worrisome defense pairs. pic.twitter.com/BOSsCBLEaW
— Oilers Nerd Alert (@OilersNerdAlert) May 8, 2017
The rest of the game would play out exactly as you would expect a blowout to. Slepyshev would add a goal of his own to put an exclamation point on his superb night, and Leon Draisaitl would complete his hat trick to give him 5(!) points on the night. Simply incredible.
It was a dominant, statement making win by Edmonton, on a night when their superstar didn’t even register a point. Even the Ducks attempts to get under the Oilers skin were swatted away with a physical slamming of Kesler and co. by Lucic, Nurse, Caggiula and others. Anaheim was simply not going to get a win in any aspect this evening, that was clear.
And so, the Oilers will take tonight’s game, a game in which almost every single player played terrific, and try to manufacture that into momentum boost on Wednesday. Tonight, they showcased that they will not go quietly into the night and that they had the resolve to survive with their backs against the ropes.
On Wednesday, they will look to show that they are a team that deserves to be in the Western Conference finals.
Something tells me that these Oilers are not ready to finish telling their story just yet.
Oilers Players of the Game
Is there any question? Leon Draisaitl is the 100% runaway for tonight’s player of the game. A hat trick, 5 points, and just a dominating effort. He has been the Oilers best player at many times this spring, and tonight he came up big again. We are incredibly luck to have both him and McDavid on the same team.
At 21 years old, Leon Draisaitl is the 2nd youngest player in #Oilers history to record a playoff Hat Trick.
Gretzky being the youngest.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 8, 2017
How can we not give some love to Mark Letestu? Not only did he score 2 goals, but he added a pair of assist too. How do you know things went right on a night? Mark Letestu has 4 points, that is how.
10 Takeaways
1. How much money could someone had made on a bet that in a 7 goal game, Connor McDavid wouldn’t have registered a point on one of those? That is for sure your strange stat of the night. However, even with the no points, McDavid had a great game. I took a glance at his advanced stats after 2, and his Corsi differential was +23. Insanity.
2. How about Todd’s decision to split Leon and Connor up? I can understand the merits of having Draisaitl on McDavid’s wing, but it has certainly worked out so far. Leon is capable of carrying his own line (thanks Captain Obvious), and with that, it creates a much tougher situation for the opposition to match. We are seeing terrific success so far.
HAMMER THAT HATTY. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/asvkKI3owo
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 8, 2017
3. And with this, can we end the narrative that the Oilers are one man team? Thanks.
4. Kudos to Griffin Reinhart and Eric Gryba tonight. They responded to being in a very difficult situation with admirable efforts. Seriously, Reinhart hadn’t even played a NHL game this season, and Gryba has been off for nearly a month, and they came into an elimination game and played well. They each had a little over 13 minutes.
5. How about Matt Benning tonight? He had one assist, played over 23 minutes (more than any other Oilers D) and put together what may have been the best game of his young career. I loved his work on the power play at times, and he set up Letestu for his second of the night. Benning should have the offensive instincts and ability to be a factor on the Oilers power play in the future.
Benning on 1st unit PP due to Klefbom injury…sweet dish to Letestu and it is 5-0. Benning has been a great NCAA #UFA signing.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) May 7, 2017
6. Can we have these refs for the next game? When they called Kesler for a penalty just for being a supreme dumbs to McDavid, I knew I liked them. What other refs would have had the gull to call that? Not many. Remember, “what will I tell Corey”? Yeah, hopefully no more of that.
I want these refs for game 7
— Woodguy (@Woodguy55) May 8, 2017
7. Milan Lucic was supremely frustrated on Friday night. He responded with a stellar game. 2 assists, 6 hits, and a big statement made in the final minutes of the 3rd. Probably his best game of the playoffs.
8. I really enjoyed the commentators staying silent for the last couple minutes of the game. They let the emption of the fans bleed out through the TV sets, and it was an amazing moment to witness. Props to Hughson and Simpson recognizing the moment, and letting it play out on our TV screens.
9. How awesome was Kassian’s celebration on his goal? Have to love it when these guys let their emotion shine.
ZACK ATTACK IS BACK! #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/MGoJGaoz1i
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 7, 2017
10. The Oilers will be looking to keep this energy and emotion riding against a team that has historically been bad in the Games 6 and 7. The Ducks last 3 seasons have all ended the same way. A loss in game 6 on the road, and a loss in game 7 at home. The Oilers will not be able to rest on history for a win though. They enter Wednesday for what will likely be the toughest game that they have played all year long.
The biggest takeaway of all will occur in that game. What does this team have in store? I can’t wait to find out.
Klefbom ready for Game 7. ANA has dropped five straight Game 7's dating to '09; EDM 6-3 in Game 7 plus a loss in 5th game to LA in '82. https://t.co/MMEjf5c9do
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) May 8, 2017
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