Sunday, May 15, 2022. 00:50
Connor McDavid got up in the most important game of his season with a goal and an assist and the Oilers sent the Kings on vacation with a 2-0 shutout victory in Game 7.
McDavid was in all fights for 27 minutes and 23 seconds.
” I do not think regarding it. I board when I am asked to board. I can play big minutes, I’m happy. »
Edmonton reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 season, when the team beat the Sharks in six games in the first round. The Oilers then lost in seven games once morest the Ducks.
“It’s only one round. We still have a long way ahead of us. It’s good to win this way. We often talked regarding the defensive side of our game, so for our group to play that way in a 2-0 win is a good feeling,” McDavid said following the game.
“It’s a good feeling, but the job is not finished. We haven’t achieved anything yet,” added Leon Draisaitl.
The Oilers won their first Game 7 since 1998 and they won their first series since 2017. Jay Woodcroft’s men now have a date with the winner of the series between the Calgary Flames and the Dallas Stars.
At the dawn of the match, several questions hovered over the possible absence of Draisaitl. Luckily for the Oilers, the German took part in the warm-up and the game. It was used for 22 minutes and 38 seconds in the Ultimate Showdown.
“I’m correct,” Draisaitl simply commented following the match, without wanting to give more details.
McDavid show! A monstrous goal for the Oilers!
Draisaitl appeared to be suffering from an ankle injury when he was caught in a first-period scrum on Thursday. The Oilers ultimately won the game 4-2.
The first period was dominated by the goalkeepers, who completely limited the players. There were a few scoring chances on either side but they did the job to preserve the 0-0 stalemate following twenty minutes.
The Oilers came close to opening the scoring midway through the second period. Evander Kane tried to push the puck into the back of the net, but with the puck on the goal line, Andreas Athanasiou saved the furniture and collected the puck to steal a definite goal from Kane.
By dint of threatening, the Oilers finally solved the Quick mystery. Cody Ceci fired a good shot from the wrists of the face-off circles to open the scoring.
The Oilers came back with less than two minutes left in the middle period. Kailer Yamamoto got a golden scoring opportunity on the Oilers’ 34th shot, but Quick stretched the pad to keep his team just one goal behind Edmonton.
Then in the third period, as the Oilers fought to hold onto their slender one-goal lead, it was none other than Connor McDavid who dealt the Kings a heavy blow. McDavid delivered a superb effort to gain control of the puck through several LA players, before hitting the target to increase the Kings’ lead to two goals.
“Our best players have been our best players in this series. If you want to win, if you want to get through the toughest rounds, your best players have to be at their peak, and then some. It’s not all regarding Draisaitl and McDavid, but they’ve done a lot of work to get us on the right track. When there’s a stake, these two players respond,” said Smith following the game.
McDavid also became the 4th player in Oilers history to amass at least 10 assists in a single series. He joined Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey and Mark Messier.
Late in the game, the Kings attacked dangerously, but Smith did the work to dash the Kings’ hopes of a comeback and see his team through to the next round. He made 29 saves.
At the other end of the ice, Quick does not have to be ashamed of his performance, he who repelled 39 pucks.
In the series, Quebecer Phillip Danault amassed three goals and five points in seven games.
“I am very proud of our group. It was a long year marked by highs and lows. I am proud of our team. The experience acquired this season will take us far for the next few years. It’s not the expected result, but I think we gave it our all,” said Danault.
“It hurts, but we will come back stronger next year. »
It was the last career game for Kings forward Dustin Brown, who announced his retirement a few weeks ago. Brown lifted the Stanley Cup twice, in 2012 and 2014.
“I’m going to miss him a lot,” admitted Anze Kopitar following the match, visibly teary-eyed.
Athanasiou saves the day at the last second!
This blows up Rogers Place
