The Edmonton Oilers are at war with the Anaheim Ducks. It was a game the Ducks were looking forward to. Through four games, the Ducks went up 3-1 heading into Game 5, outscoring the Oilers 20-15, including 17-11 in the previous two games.
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Going into the series, most predicted that it would be a high-profile game given the way both teams play defense. We know that the Edmonton Oilers have struggled defensively all season, which has bled through their entire game, including scoring. Speaking of goaltending, how is the Tristan Jarry-Stuart Skinner trade working out right now?
Jarry didn't start the series, but there's a chance he could see the ice in Game 4, given Connor Ingram's struggles. Calvin Pickard is also up, so are the Oilers going that route? However, unlike four years ago against the Los Angeles Kings, the Anaheim Ducks can counter the Oilers with their offensive talent.
As Jim Biringer of NHLRumors.com and Full Press Media told TSN Radio in Montreal before the series, the Oilers and Ducks will play track-meet hockey, favoring a young Anaheim team over a seasoned team like Edmonton.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
Host: “Jim, a few years ago, it was the Oilers and the Kings. And the Kings have been struggling offensively, very good, very sound, defensively, and maybe a complete game of the first round of the Edmonton Oilers a few years ago, but completely different, a team of ducks, young, maybe arrogant, not giving the wrong criticism, they will not give the right order. a difficult game of the Oilers they play a team of ducks that, if you want to play a game first through seven, the Ducks will sign up for that.
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Jim Biringer: “Yeah. This could be a high-scoring series, right? It should be. I mean, Lukas Dostal to me is the X-factor for the Anaheim Ducks. If he's going to stand on his head and be like the guy he was in Czechia and what we've seen in the past in Anaheim, then the Edmonton Oilers are going to struggle again.
Connor McDavid is on a different level. Maybe win the Hart Trophy, probably the last few weeks of the season without Leon Draisaitl. Zach Hyman is right back. With Draisaitl starting to swing, like, if he's on the roster, this is a huge improvement for this team (Draisaitl returned from Game 1 and leads the Oilers in points (6)).
But again, Anaheim should stay out of the penalty box. The Oilers power play is very good. But again, they have weapons, skill, and speed. Cutter Gauthier has 40 goals. Leo Carlsson is here. Let's see if Mason McTavish can take his game. In the back, (Jacob) Trouba and (Radko) Gudas know what they can do in the play-offs. Trouba, we know, can make game-changing hits. We know Gudas can do the same thing.
What is this Edmonton Oilers team? Are they a good defensive team? Which defensive team will emerge? Which goalkeeper will appear? How will they play? There are a lot of question marks for Edmonton right now, because if they want to make a high-scoring series, Anaheim can trade them, and they have a goal of just preventing one of those puppies from coming in and stealing a game or two from Edmonton.”
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The Oilers need to clean things up defensively for their overall game. Anaheim is clicking on the power play, while Edmonton is struggling. Connor McDavid has it (four points now, but was scoreless in Games 1 and 2). They need more from him, as he is struggling with injuries.
The Anaheim Ducks showed that they can overcome some of their defensive moments thanks to their offensive firepower. Unfortunately for the Oilers, they can't do that. It is similar to what happened to the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2010 to 2015.
This series could go away from the Oilers very quickly as the Ducks take the lead in Game 5.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQkAUPwnsc
