LOS ANGELES -
For goalie Mike Smith, that is what the NHL playoffs are all about.
With a victory in L.A. on Thursday, Smith and the Oilers compelled a Recreation 7 of their first-round collection in opposition to the Kings. The decisive matchup will go Saturday in Edmonton.
“It is clearly what desires are fabricated from, going to Recreation 7 again at residence in Edmonton,” the netminder mentioned. “So guys are fairly excited.”
It has been a collection stuffed with highs and lows for the Oilers.
They dropped a good Recreation 1 at residence, captured blowout victories in Video games 2 and three, then had been shutout in Recreation 4.
After a gradual begin in Recreation 5, Edmonton got here again to drive additional time, however finally took a 5-4 loss that put the staff on the point of elimination.
Thursday's Recreation 6 noticed the Oilers take an early lead, however the Kings equalized within the third earlier than Tyson Barrie put away the game-winning strike with simply over 5 minutes left on the clock and Evander Kane added an empty-net objective to seal the 4-2 victory.
Every sport has represented a unique set of circumstances, Edmonton's head coach Jay Woodcroft mentioned Friday.
“We have already moved previous the earlier six video games,” he mentioned. “Our focus is on being the perfect we could be tomorrow. We all know we will need to be higher than we had been yesterday. And we're enthusiastic about doing it in entrance of probably the most rabid followers within the Nationwide Hockey League.”
Many within the Oilers' locker room are conversant in the stress that comes from enjoying in large moments.
Duncan Keith has suited up in 141 NHL playoff video games and received three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks. Brett Kulak was on the blue line for Montreal's storied playoff run final season and Zach Hyman felt the glare of the highlight throughout his six seasons in Toronto.
The Kings, in the meantime, have 11 gamers who've made their playoff debuts this season.
Expertise could be key in large moments, Smith mentioned.
“I feel in case you've been round and you have been via conditions in your profession, it might probably solely pay dividends within the laborious moments,” mentioned the goalie, who'll play his 36 playoff sport on Saturday.
“So I feel it is one sport, something can occur. You've got simply bought to be sure to attempt to deliver your A-game and put all of it on the market.”
A few of Edmonton's greatest stars are elevating their sport within the playoffs.
Captain Connor McDavid has put up multi-point performances in 5 of six video games and leads the league in post-season factors with 12 (three objectives, 9 assists). Winger Evander Kane is tied for probably the most objectives (seven).
After notching two objectives and an help in Thursday's essential win, Kane mentioned that persevering via a good sport would assist his staff construct confidence.
“There's guys which were on this state of affairs earlier than, there's guys that have not,” he mentioned. “To get that have and for it to be a constructive one, it is a good feeling.”
The Oilers have already offered out Rogers Place to a boisterous crowd of 18,347 for 3 playoff video games this 12 months. They know the environment will solely develop extra fevered for Recreation 7.
“It may be juicy,” Kane mentioned with a smile.
Dwelling ice hasn't all the time been a bonus for the Oilers within the collection, nevertheless, with the Kings taking wins in two of three video games in Edmonton.
The group is not involved about being overwhelmed on Saturday, Barrie mentioned.
“I feel Recreation 1 possibly was the one time we had been a little bit nervous or no matter however we have settled in now,” the defenceman mentioned.
“Give (L.A.) credit score - they performed a pair video games in our rink however we wish to be at residence for this one. And we wish that rink rocking like will probably be. And we'll be prepared for that.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Could 13, 2022.
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