The Edmonton Oilers return home for Game 5 of their first round series, following a thorough beating by the Sharks on Tuesday. The Sharks managed to score 7 in the one-sided tilt, evening up the series at 2 games a piece. Thankfully for the Oilers, despite the sizable drubbing, the NHL Playoffs don’t operate on goal differential, and they are able to return home with an even slate, and a newfound best of 3 on the horizon.
It’s been a back and forth battle so far, and with the Sharks possessing the momentum, while the Oilers hold the home ice advantage, we can expect a slug-fest in the final few chapters of this series.
With the puck set to drop at 8:30 tonight (thankfully tomorrow is Friday), let’s dig in and take a look at tonight’s match-up.
The Oilers Keys to the Game
- DISCIPLINE!: Yes the referees have been suspect in the series, but there is no question that the Oilers have to get better in the discipline department. Needless, blatant crosschecks, mind-numbing interference and other careless efforts, have been popping up all series long, stripping the Oilers of momentum and putting them at a massive disadvantage. With overall penalties in the series at 22 for the Oilers and 12 for the Sharks, this is an area of serious concern.
"You don't want to live on the PK, because that team has more than enough weapons." @27MilanLucic on #Oilers discipline thus far pic.twitter.com/GebF9L1zS6
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 15, 2017
- Even-Strength Scoring: This remains a massive issue for the Oilers. Yes, discipline is hurting them, but in their time out of the box, Edmonton has only managed 1 goal at even strength throughout the 4 games. That is simply not good enough, and the big guns in the top 6 have to step it up. With a change to the top line (Caggiula in for Maroon), it will be critical for the Oilers to find a way to capitalize on the adjustment with some scoring at 5 on 5.
Looks like a major shuffling of lines for the Oil. Caggiula and Draisaitl with McDavid. Maroon with Letestu and Kassian.
— Dan Barnes (@sportsdanbarnes) April 20, 2017
- Better Decisions with the Puck: Repeatedly flinging the puck into no-man’s land only for the Sharks to retrieve it is no recipe for success. The Oilers did it a lot in game 1 and a lot in game 4. Better decisions with the puck, and more control in their zone entries and exits will go a long way into improving their chances at victory.
"They look like they're rushing to make plays, they think they don't have time. They should hang onto puck a bit longer." Ferraro #Oilers
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) April 19, 2017
Players to Watch
Edmonton Oilers
- Connor McDavid: He has been way too quiet all series long, and maybe a re-formation that lit up Vancouver late in the season (Draisaitl, Caggiula) can work again tonight.
- Leon Draisaitl: He had one of his worst games as an Oilers on Tuesday, making matters worse with a careless spearing penalty. How does he respond?
Draisaitl coughed his way through the entire interview, claiming he was perfectly fine. Playoffs.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) April 20, 2017
- Drake Caggiula: Can the kid capitalize on the promotion?
- Cam Talbot: It has taken the Oilers netminder roughly 1-2 games to rebound from a poor outing this season. Does he find his re-find his form quickly tonight?
San Jose Sharks
All the big guns:
- Joe Pavelski: The Sharks’ captain broke out in a big way on Tuesday with 3 points (2 goals). Can the Oilers find a way to lock him down again?
- Logan Couture: Broken face and all, he found a way to get a pair of points last game. He is one of the Sharks’ best and worth a watch.
- Joe Thornton: The Sharks’ power play erupted for 4 goals in game 4 and a big reason is the return of Joe Thornton. If the Oilers get into penalty trouble again, it will spell trouble.
- Brent Burns: Took complete control of the game on Tuesday. The Oilers need to limit him with solid line matching, all night long.
The Expected Lineups
Edmonton Oilers
Drake Caggiula – Connor McDavid – Leon Draisaitl
Milan Lucic – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle
Patrick Maroon – Mark Letestu – Zack Kassian
Benoit Pouliot – David Desharnais – Anton Slepyshev
Oscar Klefbom – Adam Larsson
Andrej Sekera – Kris Russell
Darnell Nurse – Matt Benning
Cam Talbot
San Jose Sharks
Patrick Marleau – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski
Melker Karlsson – Logan Couture – Joel Ward
Mikkel Boedker – Tomas Hertl – Jannik Hansen
Marcus Sorensen – Chris Tierney – Timo Meier
Paul Martin – Brent Burns
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun
Brenden Dillon – David Schlemko
Martin Jones
Game Notes
- No change is expected on defence tonight, even after the 7 goal loss. With the call-up of Fayne and Oesterle, as well as the additional option of Eric Gryba, McLelllan will have options should things go awry this evening.
- No change for the forwards in terms of scratches either. I for one though Anton Lander would for sure get the nod ahead of David Desharnais, but that is not the case. Desharnais isn’t providing offence at this point, so I fail to see the edge in performance over Lander.
- The Oilers will have the last change tonight, and will need to utilize it. Desharnais matching up against the Thornton line is not a good idea at all, and instead, will need to be eliminated in favour of getting the McDavid line out there. Speed kills, as was the case in game 3.
- For the Sharks, Mikkel Boedker will draw in for Joonas Donskoi.
Prediction
No matter the result, a game 6 in San Jose is guaranteed for Saturday night. Considering how the Oilers just performed there, it is a safe bet to say that a win tonight is vitally important.
With that in mind, plus the fact that the Oilers are at home and probably pretty adamant about redeeming themselves from last game, I will say that they get the job done with a win tonight.
Not without some stress, though. 2-1 in overtime, with Andrej Sekera scoring the winner.
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