Final Score: Oilers 3 – Ducks 2 (OT)
Wow! What a game! Us Oilers fans have declared a few games earlier in the season as playoff hockey calibre, and likely a few were close, but without a doubt, tonight’s game against the Ducks gave the best preview of what is to come in just under 2 weeks.
Despite the 3 on 3 OT which goes away in the postseason, this game had an atmosphere that could most definitely be described as playoff-like. High emotion, animosity-filled, edge of your seat hockey that, as a result of the Oilers coming up big, has no doubt left Edmonton in a small frenzy.
And perhaps the best part about tonight’s game, which came at the expense of a true Pacific Division contender, was that this victory was well earned. On Thursday against the Sharks, a real argument could have been made that the Oilers were a little lucky to walk away with the 2 points. Not tonight.
The Oiler scam out of the gates hot and throttled the Ducks in the 1st period, leading on the shot clock 14-4, and on the scoresheet 1-0. That single goal could only be described as be-a-utiful as Patrick maroon flashed some other-worldly hands to set up McDavid for his 29th of the year. The 2nd period was a closer affair, with the Ducks finding a way to tie it up on a rocket of a shot from the point by Getzlaf.
But it was the 3rd period, and the overtime that followed, that ultimately proved as the deciding factor. Following a second Ducks power play goal (bad penalty call, bad penalty kill), and a series of rather remarkable stops by Anaheim netminder John Gibson, it had looked as if the Oilers were going to come up on the short end of the stick. It would have been a completely undeserved win for the Ducks.
However, with a little over 2 minutes remaining, and a power play opportunity, the boys in orange and blue decided that they were not going to let Anaheim get away with a stolen victory. It would be Milan Lucic at the goalmouth, burying his 19th goal of the year to tie things up.
Rogers Place, Edmonton, and the rest of the Oilers community exploded. And they would explode once more in overtime when the dynamic dup of McDavid and Draisaitl put the game away on a beautiful one timer, Draisaitl’s 28th of the year.
What a game, what a win, what a performance. In 2 of the 3 periods, Edmonton held an impressive opponent to only 4 shots, and in a final frame with their backs against the wall, showed some serious character in coming back to win the game. That is truly inspiring heading into the postseason.
The top line trio was unbelievable once again, while I found myself being impressed by most of the Oilers defence group, with the exception of a few blunders here and there. Cam talbot was sensational when he needed to be.
The Oilers are your current Pacific Division leaders. A beautiful sight.
OT WINNER! #ANAvsEDM pic.twitter.com/40xOiGHfMu
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 2, 2017
Oilers Players of the Game
1. Connor McDavid. 10 game point streak. 3 points tonight. An assist on the winner. Every second he plays hockey is a blessing for hockey fans worldwide.
2. Cam Talbot. The numbers won’t look pretty since he only had to make 16 saves, but he made some seriously clutch saves, with a few breakaway chances denied as well. He is superb.
3. Milan Lucic. He scored the tying goal and had 6 hits on the night. In a heavy, rocking game, he stepped up big time.
10 Takeaways
1. What a god-awful penalty call by the refs on Nuge in the 3rd. He was essentially penalized because Getzlaf wash’t holding on to his stick strong enough. Horrible call that lead to the go-ahead goal.
2. In saying that, what a bad decision by Pouliot on that PK to retrieve a lost stick and directly open the doors to a 2-0 for the Ducks. Very poor decision, very costly. Disappointing to see, after a pretty great run of PK’ing by #67.
3. How the hell did Kesler miss that wide open net in the 3rd? Of course, I am thrilled that it happened to, of all people, Ryan Kesler. Karma is a real thing, folks.
4. And speaking of ol’ Kesler, how beautiful was it to watch him get absolutely schooled on the McDavid goal in the 1st? I could watch Maroon’s pass fly through his legs, on repeat, all night.
5. The animosity in this one was on full tilt. Can you imagine these two teams in a series in the playoffs? Kesler, Bieksa, and a few others are going to be in more than a few hypothetical cross-hairs.
6. Will anyone’s voices be working properly after cheering like lunatics following the Lucic goal?
7. Only one word to describe Cam Talbot tonight: Clutch. Oh and by the way, with the win, Cam Talbot has tied Grant Fuhr for most wins by an Oilers goaltender in a season at 40. What an incredible year.
8. Draisaitl and McDavid are the best damn duo going today. My lord they are insanely good together.
9. Make it a 10 (!!!!!!!!) game point streak for those two. Absolutely dominant.
10. The magic of this season continues:
#Oilers are looking to tie a franchise record by winning their 8th straight home game. They last did it to end the 1985-86 season
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 2, 2017
Oilers Highlights
ICYMI, @cmcdavid97's 29th of the year. #ANAvsEDM pic.twitter.com/pKZkZ6ceRd
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 2, 2017
LOOOOOOOOOCH! #ANAvsEDM pic.twitter.com/DzjTKXW38m
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 2, 2017
GLOVE LOVE! 😍 #ANAvsEDM pic.twitter.com/tq9QlIruPg
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 2, 2017
Up Next: In Hollywood on Tuesday
The Oilers head to Los Angeles on Tuesday to take on the all-but eliminated Los Angeles Kings. Depending on how Sunday shapes up, the game could either be an opportunity to re-take the Pacific Division lead, or build on it.
The fun times continue!
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