Feel free to skip ahead if you’ve heard this one before.
The Los Angelas Kings take an early lead in a series that, on paper, they should win.
The Edmonton Oilers make less of a hailmary comeback and more of a desperation, series-middle stride forward.
And then, just as it could go tonight and has for the past three years and counting, the LA Kings are trading out their twigs for nine irons on the green.
There are worse things in life.
Such as being haunted by the ghost of playoffs past in front Oilers fans. Again.
“I haven’t thought about that once, honestly,” commented Drew Doughty, following his last morning skate of the season in Rogers Place. “Right now, we’re in the present, all the players are in the present. We know we got to win one game and try to get back on home ice.
“And what’s happened in the past, is in the past. They’re different teams, different players. It really has no effect on this game tonight, at all.”
It’s a subtle jolt of realization. Not a drowning panic that a seasoned playoff player has learned to manage.
But while the jolt of realization likely to spiral through Rogers away room and into Jim Hiller’s three line, four defensemen and good goaltending mentality, might not be “nerves,” it could lead the Oilers to a composed win, when managed well.
That’s what happens in the face of a series closer, on away ice, and by the hands of the Hart Trophy finalist, Leon Draisaitl who’s been proven to get past Vezina nominee, Darcy Kuemper.
A 2.33 GAA, means little compared to 46 shots on goal. See game five for proof.
“He’s certainly playing well,” agreed Draisaitl. “But I think we have gotten to him, we’ve scored a lot. He’s a great goalie, makes a lot of great saves, and gives them a chance to win every night. So we’re looking to continue (rattling him).”
Is there certainty of that? Of course not.
Could Corey Perry make it so? His goal map would suggest as much.
There’s a certain sense of expectation in a series that’s been on repeat for this younger generation of hockey fans. Not as certain as the big three — “death, taxes, and being upset at the referees,” per Kris Knoblauch — but some that have just come to be anticipated.
The Kings taking an early lead, and leaving Oilers fans hopeless before Evan Bouchard does Evan Bouchard things on offence, and the third period turn into a tale of two games.
The Oilers working to secure that third period, before the Kings re-introduce some potent offence into an already stingy backend
And finally, the home team riding their, “our best can beat anyones best” momentum into a game six finish.
So yes, the series opening winners should be nervous.
The Oilers are not only playing good hockey — their best of the series, if not season, as of Tuesdays game five winner — but they’re is no false confidence that the tonight’s game will naturally progress in the same manner.
“They’re going to try and play their best game. I mean, they have no choice and we don’t have a choice either. So, we got to be ready for their best, and we have to make sure that we bring our best,” added Draisaitl, while managing his expectations. Such is key.
Edmonton Oilers Lines
Draisaitl – McDavid – Perry
Kane – RNH – Hyman
Frederic – Henrique – Brown
Podkolzin – Janmark – Arvidsson
Nurse – Bouchard
Walman – Klingberg
Kulak – Emberson
Pickard
S. Skinner
Extras: J. Skinner, Kapanen, Jones, Ryan, Stecher.
