The Edmonton Oilers capitalized early and defended professionally, forcing a Game Six in their series with the Anaheim Ducks. For the fifth straight game, the Oilers opened the scoring and did not stop until Lukas Dostal was out of the game, making it 3-0 Edmonton after the first period.
The Ducks managed a power play to draw within one in the second period, but Leon Draisaitl responded with a power-play marker of his own for a 4-1 lead after two periods. That was all the Oilers gave them the rest of the way, evading elimination.
Player Grades
Connor Ingram: 8
Stabbed out a right pad to deny Carlsson on one of the Ducks' few chances in the opening frame. Made saves on Carlsson and Terry during the short Anaheim power play near the start of the second. Had little chance on the 3-1 goal. Made an excellent right pad save early in the third and a sharp glove save later. Minimized rebounds and remained calm in his crease, stopping 29 of 30 shots. Named the game's Second Star, rewarding his coach's decision to go back to him in an elimination game.
Connor McDavid: 7
Part of a hard-working board battle deep, then scooped up the puck Kapanen jarred loose and started the Bouchard-Draisaitl sequence on the 3-0 goal. Fed Bouchard on the 4v4. Hit Hyman in the paint with a pass but Zach could not finish. Faked the shot then fed Leon for a one-timer and the 4-1 goal. Could not bury a great Podkolzin pass in front. Won 78% on draws. Played 24:09 after being a game-time decision.
Leon Draisaitl: 8
Came up huge when his club needed it most. Went to the net and deflected home a Bouchard point shot for the 3-0 goal, chasing Dostal from the Anaheim net. Made a spectacular stretch pass to Roslovic, but he could not cash. Then jack-hammered home the 4-1 goal on the power play to regain the Oilers' three-goal gap. Was hit in the numbers near the wall by Kreider but no call. Won 50% on the dot and fired 4 shots. Rightly named the game's First Star.
Kasperi Kapanen: 6
Made a defensive lunge to clear the defensive zone after an Anaheim cycle. Won a puck battle deep in Anaheim territory critical to the 3-0 goal. Recorded 4 hits and was effective overall.
Mattias Ekholm: 8
After a rough Game 4, the Oilers' top pairing was excellent tonight. Ekholm drove creating a rebound that Roslovic just missed cashing in on. Made a fine defensive play to break up a developing Anaheim two-on-one in the second. An effective poke check forced a Ducks offside. Made two strong defensive plays in his own end after the Savoie error late in the third.
Evan Bouchard: 8
He was terrific. Made a terrific stop-up and pass wired across the ice to a charging Podkolzin for the 1-0 goal. Whistled a perfect puck into the slot where a waiting Leon Draisaitl chipped it in for the 3-0 goal. Missed a gaping net on the 4v4. Made a brilliant play on the blueline for a sparking assist on the 4-1 goal. Delivered a crushing hit on Sennecke late in the third. Played 27:30 as Paul Coffey leaned heavily on his top five defensemen.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: 7
Won a puck battle in the neutral zone then advanced the puck into the Ducks' end on the 1-0 goal. Dinged the crossbar the very next shift. Intercepted an errant puck and let it fly at the Ducks' net, where Hyman tipped in the 2-0 goal. Started the McDavid-Bouchard 4v4 break. Showed a smart stick in the third. Won 63% on the dot. His best playoff game this year by far.
