The Edmonton Oilers are trailing 3-2 in the series and facing elimination on the road against a team that has beaten them three times in the last four games and has yet to lose on home ice. Yet, despite the dire circumstances, there is a sense that momentum may have shifted after a resounding victory in Game 5.
A Dominant Performance in Game 5
After watching the Oilers finally roll out their best game, or something reasonably close to it, Tuesday night at Rogers Place, it is fair to wonder if they are poised to write another chapter in their narrative of resilience. The team that showed up in Game 5 looked like the squad that was heavily favoured to win this series, taking control early and never letting up.
Player Reactions
“You don’t really need to say a lot; when the season is on the line, everybody understands and responds,” said Oilers winger Vasily Podkolzin. “I like our leadership group; they sent a great message after Game 4. Nothing is done yet. Only our group could come back from nothing. I really like our mood in the locker room.”
“We’re still in a tough, tough spot, a really tough spot,” warned Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “The pressure is still on us, but it’s a big game for them, too. I’m sure they’ll be feeling that. Close-out games are tough. I’m sure they’re not going to want to come back to Edmonton. Pressure on them, but we’ve got to find a way to survive another day.”
Coaching Perspective
“You always feel good after a win; that definitely changes the mood,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch. “After a loss, especially in overtime, heads are hanging and you feel pretty down. You win and you’re thinking we only need two now instead of three, and the task doesn’t seem so difficult. The mood after the game is completely different, but the next day it’s moved on and you’re already thinking about the next game.”
Ducks Aware of Oilers' History
The Anaheim Ducks are well aware of Edmonton’s track record in these situations. There is no question they can hear footsteps, as they admitted after Game 5. “They have a ton of experience, a lot of guys who went to the Cup final the last two years, and that experience is invaluable,” said Anaheim winger Alex Killorn. “In a lot of series, they’ve been down and never gave up.”
The Oilers have proven time and again that they can rally from deficits, and now the Ducks face the challenge of closing out a series against a team that thrives on adversity. Doing it again, on a night when the Ducks will be able to channel the same urgency and desperation that Edmonton did, will be the test.
