You would think listening to some people on social media after a 2-1 loss (plus a couple empty net goals) the Oilers were currently down 3-0 in the series against the Winnipeg Jets. From cries of shades of the Hawks/Oilers series last season to McDavid only caring about points the stupidity I read last night was something.
Oilers fans are passionate people and they come out strong for both the highs and the lows. Is it disappointing that the Oilers could not take advantage of a Jets team that was missing two top six forwards? Absolutely. Is it the end of the world? Not even close.
Back in 2016/2017 the Oilers lost a 2-1 game to the San Jose Sharks, after that they would win the next game by a score of 2-0, followed by a 1-0 win and then a 7-0 blowout loss. The Oilers would go on to win that series 4-2. The playoffs are a marathon, not a spring.
Last night the Oilers played well enough to win. Scoring chances were 30-15 in favour of the Oilers and xGF% was 66.53% in favour of Edmonton as well. Connor Hellebuyck was the best player in this game and especially in the second period prevented Edmonton from going up 2-0 or 3-0. McDavid and Draisaitl were held off the scoresheet in game 1. Credit to the Jets defense for finally finding a way to shut the duo down. The Oilers top players are rarely held off the scoresheet and almost never more than for a game; expect both of them to produce something in Game 2.
Jesse Puljujarvi scored the lone goal for the Oilers and had at least another 2 Grade A chances in the game. Puljujarvi was engaged both offensively and physically and in my opinion was the Oilers best forward in that game. Edmonton needs other guys to step up and seeing JP come out strong in Game 1 is a positive sign.
Another great player for Edmonton was Josh Archibald who came out in playoff form hitting everything that moved and also creating a couple scoring chances himself. A couple people mentioned on Twitter they would like to see him on McDavid's wing next came. I disagree. Keep him in the spot he is, the bottom six needs him.
Mike Smith played well in Game 1 aside from one rough rebound control on the first goal on a play that first happened due to a missed assignment from Kulikov and Zack Kassian taking himself out of the play to make a hit. The second goal was a fluky rebound that was so fluky the game continued for another couple of minutes before they finally signaled it was a goal.
Speaking of Kassian, I expect Tippett to keep the same roster going into Game 2 but I would heavily consider replacing Kassian with Ennis. Edmonton has the physicality to play with the Jets without Kassian in the lineup, they don't have enough skill. I would play Ennis with McLeod and Neal.
Tyson Barrie had an ugly game. A couple of his turnovers in the first gave the Jets some deadly chances that is a miracle at least one wasn't buried. Barrie is a risk-reward player but there was far more risk than reward from him in that game. If Bear or Jones played that kind of game, Tippett would have sat them the following game.
Kailer Yamamoto was roughed up all game and I'm not complaining about the reffing here. The Jets played Yamamoto hard and while the diminutive player plays chippy himself, he was outbattled against the Jets. Something to keep an eye on later.
That being said the RNH, Draisaitl, Yamamoto line did create in the offensive zone and kept the Jets hemmed in for some good amounts of time. After being held scoreless in Game 1, I hope Tippett doesn't panic and put McDavid and Draisaitl together.
The fact that there was only a single powerplay in that entire game was a joke for both teams. The one powerplay that was called should have been a 4 minute as Yamamoto was clearly cut and there were a number of other opportunities that should have been called in favour of the Oilers. On the flip side, Edmonton also got away with some rough stuff as well. Refs really put the whistles away on this one.
Ultimately it was a disappointing start to the post-season but right now it is little more than a bump in the road on what should hopefully still be a long journey. Edmonton needs to regroup and come into Game 2 with more intensity and find a way to get the top guys going once more. We will all gather once again tomorrow evening for the rematch.
Thanks for reading!