The Edmonton Oilers have been away from the playoffs for a very long time as they had watched the last 10 Stanley Cup Playoffs from the comfort of their own homes. Well, they are back in this year and they have now moved on to the 2nd round after taking out the Sharks in six games in round one. They did so, despite the fact that they were outscored 14-12 in the series and that is due to a 7-0 loss in game four. The Oilers won two of three on the road against the Sharks in that series and they are now 24-20 away from home for the year. Connor McDavid lead the team in scoring during the regular season with 40 goals and he was one of three players that had two goals in the series against the Sharks. Also scoring two goals in that series was Oscar Klefbom and Zack Kassian.
Getting the start in the crease will be Cam Talbot and he went 4-2 with a 2.03 GAA in the series against the Sharks, while in the postseason in his career, he has now gone 4-3 with a 2.10 GAA. Against the Ducks, in his career, he is 4-6 with a 2.30 GAA. The Oilers were ranked 8th in the league in scoring at 2.96 gpg during the regular season, while also ranking 8th in shots taken (31.1 spg) and 5th in power play conversions, converting on 22.9% of their chances. At the defensive end of the ice they check in at 8th in goals allowed, giving up 2.52 gpg, while also ranking 9th in shots allowed (29.5) and 17th in penalty kill, allowing teams to convert on 19.3% of their chances.
Ducks Continue Dominance Of The Flames
The Anaheim Ducks took on the Calgary Flames in round one and that was the perfect team for them to take as they had completely dominated that team over the last few years. Well, that domination continued as they swept the Flames in four games in round one. They are now 41-13 their last 54 games against the Flames. Now they get to face a team that they have won 27 of the last 35 games against. The Ducks seem to be getting the right draw in the playoffs. The Ducks were led by Ryan Getzlaf in the opening series as he scored three goals in the four games, while four other players notched two goals each. During the regular season, it was Rickard Rakell that led them in scoring with 33 goals and he was one of the four that notched two goals in round one. The Ducks have been a solid home team this year as they have gone 31-12 here at the Honda Center this year.
Predictions
It’s going to be a battle of grit versus speed. Anaheim will look to wear the Oilers out, while the Oilers will look to use their speed to power past the Ducks. “San Jose was a team, they didn’t want to engage us physically (in the first round) and they didn’t want to get some of our big guys emotional and get that going,” McDavid told reporters. “I feel like Anaheim isn’t going to shy away from that kind of game.”
The Ducks have home-ice advantage, but the Oilers managed to close out their first round series on the road anyways. This is going to be an exciting, physical series. However, if the Oilers can continue to get contributions from their third and forth lines, and Cam Talbot can continue his solid play, the Oilers should be able to sneak by the Ducks. Oilers in 7.
LWOH Predictions
Ben Kerr – Oilers in 6
Graham Anderson – Oilers in 5
Hunter Hodies – Ducks in 7
Matt Vocino – Oilers in 7
Markus Meyer – Ducks in 7
Brandon Piller – Oilers in 7
Kenneth Stapton – Oilers in 7
Noah Cirisoli – Oilers in 7
Spencer Lussier – Oilers in 7
David Elisio – Oilers in 7
Kyle Cushman – Oilers in 7
Patrick Alan Dejbjerg – Ducks in 5
Nic Henderson – Ducks in 7
Jake Howorth – Ducks in 6
Nicholas Di Giovanni – Oilers in 6
Nick Lariviere – Ducks in 7
