3 Things to Watch: Ducks at Oilers, Game 1 of Western Conference 1st Round
Here are 3 issues to watch in Game 1:
1. Draisaitl impact
All indicators are pointing to Draisaitl returning for Game 1. He was ninth scoring this season with 97 factors (35 targets, 62 assists) in 65 video games. He scored 16 power-play targets and averaged 21:35 minutes of ice time.
“It changes our dynamics quite a bit,” Knoblauch mentioned. “One with ice time, here is a guy that comes in and plays quite a bit, and it affects everyone else quite a bit. And obviously, it affects the other team with matchups. Now you have two premier players that you really have to worry about and focus on. Adding a player to a player like Leon definitely makes a big difference.”
Draisaitl started skating on his personal two weeks in the past and has been training with the Oilers since April 13, after they returned from a three-game highway journey.
“He’s such a big part of the team,” defenseman Mattias Ekholm he mentioned. “I think we’ve done a good job without him, but you never want to lose a guy like that. Getting him back would be a great boost for everybody.”
2. Never out of a sport
The Ducks’ 26 comeback wins had been tied with the Montreal Canadiens for first within the NHL.
“We said it all year long that we don’t want to trust that it was the recipe for success,” coach Joel Quenneville mentioned. (*3*)
Anaheim received 17 video games when trailing by a aim and 9 when trailing by two. It had 12 third-period comeback victories, eight from one aim down and 4 from two targets behind.
“You never want to be down in a game,” ahead Cutter Gauthier mentioned, “but I’m super confident in our group to have that resilience and feel in the locker room that we’re never out of any game.”
3. Special groups
Draisaitl’s impending return may have a better impact on the facility play. With him within the lineup, the Oilers had been first within the NHL (31.9 p.c) and he scored 16 of the Oilers 60 power-play targets to that time.
Without Draisaitl, Edmonton’s power-play effectivity dropped to 23.5 p.c and 1-for-15 from March 16 to April 1. Forwards Matt Savoie, Jack Roslovic and Vasily Podkolzin took turns filling in for Draisaitl on the highest unit.
“He’s one more guy that we’re going to have to be aware of,” Quenneville mentioned. “Their power play is going to be enhanced and he’s one more guy that is a threat to score. I expect that he’ll be someone we have to be concerned about.”
The Ducks had been 18.6 p.c on the facility play (twenty third) and 76.4 p.c on the penalty kill (tied for twenty sixth). They need to be aggressive in opposition to the Oilers however want to watch out not to cross the road.
“Balance is what it is,” Quenneville mentioned. (*1*)
