Well this is exciting, isn’t it? The Oilers will face off against the Ducks for the 2nd last time this season. That’s right, this isn’t it. There is one more game to be played after this against each other on April 1st. That said. The Oilers and the Ducks are the most likely matchup for the 1st round of the playoffs. They sit 2 and 3 in the Pacific Division today and are tied in points with Edmonton owning the tie-breaker. The Tkachukless Flames lost in regulation last night, and for that matter so did the Sharks who are now just 4 points up on the Oilers and – oh, that’s right – the Oilers play them two more times as well.

The Oilers are up 2-1 in the season series against the Ducks, with the last two games going Edmonton’s way. Draisaitl has taken the game winner in both of those games and in fact has 4 goals against the Ducks this season. Edmonton will be looking to build off of that success and really push Anaheim tonight.

The game against the Kings was *supposed* to be a playoff-type game. It didn’t quite live up to billing as the Kings were no match for McDavid. The Oilers lost the possession battle, but that was very much a product of the 3rd period strategy of “No longer playing hockey” that McLellan has employed all year when the Oilers are up after 2.

This match against the Ducks and the one that follows it ought to be real battles as the Oilers test out their probable first round opponent. These clubs are relatively similar, but the Ducks have an advantage in experience while the Oilers have the advantage in high-end offense. They have a nearly identical shot attempt percentage as a club. Edmonton takes it in unblocked attempts and in goals for percentage 5v5.

The Ducks strength is down the middle of the ice, without a doubt. With Getzlaf and Kesler as a 1-2 punch, they have a more than respectable top 6 and I don’t have to even get into it with their wingers. Unfortunately for Anaheim, Correy Perry is going to finish the season with the lowest level of offense he has shown since 06-07. He has 14-32-46 in 72 games this year, which has to be disappointing for him. Perry has been a lock for 30 goals or more for almost a decade and he’s in danger of not hitting 20 this season.

Woof.

Edmonton over this past stretch of games has at times played an overwhelmingly solid game of puck possession and creative offense and at times relied on Cam Talbot to bail them out of binds. The good news is that they’re getting the goaltending and the wins, but turning in more consistent efforts as we inch towards the impending post-season is the goal. Edmonton has the talent to compete with anyone. When you have a hot goaltender and the best player on the planet, you will always have a chance to win games.

It’s also seemingly impossible to game-plan for McDavid, though Anaheim has come the closest, I think, to really executing a plan with consistency. The young Oiler Captain has already faced Ryan Kesler more than any opponent this season and Kesler has held him to 0 goals for and 0 goals against in those 35 and a half minutes 5v5.

How long can he keep the beast at bay?

LINEUP

Hendricks out, Slepyshev in. Looks like Gryba plays again.

Maroon McDavid Draisaitl
Lucic RNH Eberle
Pouliot Desharnais Kassian
Caggiula Letestu Slepyshev

Klefbom Larsson
Sekera Russell
Nurse Gryba

Talbot
Brossoit

OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME

1) McPoint. Unlike Draisaitl who has thus far abused the Ducks, McDavid has just 1 point, an assist, in the three games against Anaheim so far. With Crosby breathing down his neck and McDavid on a torrid pace to finish the season, this will be his chance to make a strong impression. McDavid really has hit another gear right now. The way he abused Drew Doughty might be illegal in the United States or soon will be. It’s as if he’s gotten faster and I, for one, am not complaining. During the month of March, McDavid has posted a 3.26 points per 60 5v5 over the last three weeks. Anyone watching knows he has created almost twice as many opportunities to score as there have been actual goals. For instance, the Oil could have been up 4-0 in the 1st against the Kings if not for some bad luck. He is kicking it to overdrive right now.

2) Lucky Sevens. Number 7 for the Ducks is playing in his 777th consecutive game in the NHL. He started that streak as an Oiler but was ultimately traded for a 2nd round pick because the Oiler coaching staff refused to play him as a winger instead of a centerman. The Ducks immediately converted him to the wing and he’s been a productive member of their club ever since. Andrew Cogliano is crossing something of a milestone tonight as his streak would move to 4th all-time! Sometimes you just get the feeling that someone is going to do something on any given night. Tonight, I’d be watching to see if the former Oiler center has a little extra pep in his step.

3) That Power Play. The Power Play has become Edmonton’s most dangerous weapon of late. They are now over 35% in the last 9 or 10 games. The top unit is McDavid, Klefbom, Lucic, Draisaitl, and Letestu. Each component understands his role. I think Klefbom’s willingness to shoot from the point has really opened up a lot of opportunities on the Power Play that weren’t necessarily there before. Lucic is as good a body in front of the net as anyone. Draisaitl is exceptional along the boards. McDavid is McDavid. And, Mark Letestu is a shooting machine. He understands that his role is to get the puck to the net as quickly as possible and he’s doing it. He is 38th in the NHL for shots per 60 on the 5v4 PP (minimum 100 mins), sandwiched between Rick Nash and Blake Wheeler. When everyone has a purpose, the man-advantage really rolls.

Puck drops at 8PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet West. Game On!

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