Like tulips poking their heads out of the filth, playoff matchups between the Edmonton Oilers and L.A. Kings have turn out to be a certain signal of spring.
The 2 sides will face off in Sport 1 on Monday, marking the fourth yr in a row they’ve met within the first spherical of the NHL post-season.
This yr, although, the Oilers have ceded home-ice benefit for the primary time and aren’t the favourites heading in.
“For our staff, we’re nice being the underdog, beneath appreciated. We’ve obtained some good gamers, nevertheless it’s nice to be the underdogs,” head coach Kris Knoblauch stated Sunday.
“I feel lots of people have a variety of questions on our staff. We didn’t end excessive within the standings. The second half of the season, we weren’t pulling off as many victories as we had up to now. And we’re enjoying a staff that lots of people consider is a stronger, extra highly effective staff.”
Edmonton has beat L.A. within the first-round matchup three years in a row. Final yr, the staff went on to the Stanley Cup remaining, shedding to the Florida Panthers in a seven-game sequence.
Whereas the Oilers have discovered some necessary classes towards the Kings, they know this post-season can be not like some other.
“Each playoffs is a brand new alternative. Doesn’t matter what occurred the yr earlier than, doesn’t matter what went on all yr, doesn’t matter the place you begin, nothing.” stated captain Connor McDavid. “It’s a brand new a brand new problem, and we’re enthusiastic about that chance to simply get again up to now within the season, and get rolling.”
Edmonton struggled at instances this season, together with a stretch from late January to late February the place they went 9 video games and not using a regulation win.
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Accidents plagued the squad late within the marketing campaign, however the Oilers completed third within the Pacific Division with a 48-29-5 document after profitable seven of their final 10 outings.
“We had one other 100-point season and doubtless, at instances, didn’t play our greatest hockey,” stated centre Leon Draisaitl, who earned the Rocket Richard trophy for probably the most targets (52) within the league.
“That’s what makes me very optimistic about us being a great staff. Now we have among the greatest gamers on this planet that may make an enormous time distinction.”
L.A. completed second within the division with a 28-25-9 document and eight wins in its final 10 video games.
Requested whether or not he’s glad to see one other post-season matchup with the Oilers, Kings head coach Jim Hiller stated the opponent doesn’t matter.
“I’m glad we’re in,” he stated. “And I’m glad we get an opportunity to interrupt by anyone. We haven’t broke by for awhile. It’s time to be used. I don’t suppose it carries any particular weight that it’s the Oilers. … That is about us and we wish to push by.”
Edmonton missed a number of key gamers down the stretch, together with McDavid, Draisaitl and beginning goalie Stuart Skinner.
Many are anticipated to return for Sport 1, however defencemen Mattias Ekholm and Troy Stecher, and ahead Evander Kane won’t be out there Monday, Knoblauch stated.
The Oilers head into Monday’s contest feeling energized and refreshed, McDavid stated.
“It looks as if issues are coming collectively on the proper time, which is an effective factor,” he stated. “It’s robust to be banged up and enjoying within the playoffs. However, fortunately, we’re getting wholesome on the proper time.”
With gamers getting back from damage, there could possibly be some juggling of the ahead traces early within the sequence.
“There’s going to be a variety of evaluating proper initially of the sport, a variety of seeing who’s able to go, who’s able to contribute,” Knoblauch stated. “As a result of we’re going to want them immediately.”
Totally different line mixtures aren’t a problem heading into playoffs as a result of a lot of the roster has been collectively for a very long time, Draisaitl stated.
“We’ve all performed collectively loads of instances,” he stated. “It’s only a matter of going on the market, having the correct mindset and attending to work.”
SEASON SERIES
The Oilers went 1-2-1 in towards the Kings throughout the common season, together with a 5-0 loss final Monday.
LAST TIME OUT
Edmonton began its run to the Stanley Cup remaining final yr with a first-round matchup towards the Kings and ousted L.A. in 5 video games.
BREAKOUT POTENTIAL
Edmonton: Connor Brown didn’t play a single sport in final yr’s Oilers-Kings sequence, however seems poised to skate alongside McDavid and Zach Hyman on Edmonton’s high line Monday. The 31-year-old right-winger had 30 factors (13 targets, 17 assists) in regular-season play, together with 4 targets within the final 5 video games.
Los Angeles: After three seasons with the Oilers, Warren Foegele signed with the Kings as a free agent final summer season The 29-year-old left-winger had profession highs in targets (24), assists (22) and factors (46) this season and led L.A. in game-winning targets (six).
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