With their sights set firmly on the Stanley Cup, the Edmonton Oilers are seizing every opportunity for rest during the grueling postseason grind. Following their 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5, the Oilers advanced to the second round and earned a much-needed respite. Captain Connor McDavid hailed the significance of rest, calling it a “weapon” during this demanding stage of the season. Forward Leon Draisaitl echoed McDavid’s sentiments, emphasizing the critical advantage of extra recovery time and avoiding the arduous trip back to Los Angeles for a potential Game 6.
The Oilers’ impressive performance in special teams played a pivotal role in their series triumph. Edmonton converted 9-for-20 power plays, with McDavid and Draisaitl leading the charge. Conversely, the Oilers’ penalty kill unit stifled the Kings’ power play, holding them scoreless in 12 opportunities. Head coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged the importance of sustaining their special teams momentum during the upcoming break.
Currently, the Oilers are keeping a close watch on the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators series. Should Vancouver clinch the series in Game 6 on Friday, Edmonton will face them in the second round. McDavid admitted to paying attention to the matchup, considering it part of their job and preparation.
Despite their dominance on special teams, Knoblauch noted that Los Angeles might have had an edge in five-on-five play. The teams were tied with 12 five-on-five goals each, and Los Angeles outshot Edmonton 123-107 in those situations. McDavid recognized the need to improve their even-strength scoring.
The Oilers secured the top record in the NHL after Knoblauch replaced Jay Woodcroft behind the bench in November. In the previous two seasons, Edmonton fell in the second round to the Vegas Golden Knights and were swept in the Conference Finals by the Colorado Avalanche. This time around, the Oilers are determined to make a deeper playoff run and bring the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton.
