Author of the article:
Kurt Leavins
Published May 19, 2024 • Last updated 2hours ago • 4 minute read
![When the going gets tough, the Edmonton Oilers best gets going: 9 Things (1) When the going gets tough, the Edmonton Oilers best gets going: 9 Things (1)](https://i0.wp.com/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240518db030.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=CyfJov-pLREMr3fADUlV5g)
Saturday’s Game 6 was the most important night for the Oilers franchise in almost two decades.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
When the going gets tough, the Edmonton Oilers best gets going: 9 Things Back to video
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
So much was on the line: Facing elimination, the prospect of under-performing pre-season expectations, the last year of the Holland era, just one more year of Leon Draisaitl before UFA-eligibility. Etc.
Article content
The Oilers answered the bell, delivering their best performance of the post-season. Yet, the circ*mstances above will play out all over again in a decisive Game 7.
Advertisem*nt 2
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters.
- Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account.
- Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters.
- Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account.
- Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
or
View more offers
Article content
That and more on in this edition of…
9 Things
9. Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet confirmed immediately after Game 6 that Thatcher Demko will not play Game 7. Having solved Artus Silovs 5 times in Game 6, has the goaltending momentum suddenly swung back in the Oilers favor?
8. The Oilers have now surpassed what they accomplished last season, when they lost to Vegas in Game 6 of the Pacific Division Final. That is significant considering how they started this season. But none of them will be close to satisfied if they do not go on to win Game 7 on Monday.
7. Under the brightest lights of the season, Hollywood sparkled. Dylan Holloway, the game’s Third Star, opened the scoring by leaving Elias Patterson in his dust, blowing past Norris Trophy favorite Quinn Hughes like a stiff Alberta breeze, and then tucking a tidy deke 5-hole for the 1-0. He lifted the entire bench and lit up the whole building.
6. Ken Holland has faced criticism for his deadline deals and the relative impact of them. But in fairness, Adam Henrique was good down the stretch for this club. And it is not Holland’s fault that Henrique got injured in Game 5 of the L.A. series and has played only ten minutes since. Sam Carrick, however, jumped into the lineup in Game 6 and made an impact: 6 hits, 58% in the circle.
Headline News
Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Advertisem*nt 3
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
5. Leon Draisaitl registered his 100th playoff point on Saturday night. Only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux have gotten there faster in the history of the game. Just another way to remind all of us that we are not just privileged to watch one of the best players ever, night-in and night-out. With many chapters yet to be written Leon Draisaitl has already become one of the best clutch players in the game.
4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been through hell with this Edmonton Oilers franchise. The Decade of Darkness had to have been soul-sucking for him. I think the reason he is such a huge fan favorite is because they trudged through it together. So great to see him deliver a First Star performance on Saturday when it mattered the very most: A goal and two assists. 3:34 of perfection shorthanded. Several critical faceoff wins deep in his own zone on those PK’s.
3. Talk about your gutsy moves. Kris Knoblauch went to Calvin Pickard in Games 4 and 5 and was rewarded with two terrific performances. In fact, Cal Pickard was so good, many commentators were strongly in favor of running him out there again in Game 6. Instead, Knoblauch went back to Stuart Skinner. And while Stu was not busy, he was still the best goalie on the ice. Few NHL coaches will voluntarily make that many goaltending changes in the same series successfully.
Advertisem*nt 4
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
2. Connor McDavid was pretty good this past season following games in which he had gone pointless. It only happened 13 times. And the Edmonton Oilers were 10-3 in those “after” games. McDavid was 9-18-27 in those 13 games and was +11. Now, make it 11-3, 9-21-30, +14. McDavid and Draisaitl had previously appeared in 8 elimination games in their post-season careers. Each of them had produced at least 1.5 points per game. Connor had 3 points on Saturday, Leon registered 2.
1.Said another way: The Edmonton Oilers best players were the best players on the ice on Saturday night. That is the deciding factor in so many NHL games. And if they can do that again on Monday, the club will be off to Dallas. But let us not kid ourselves. There are sixty hard miles between here and there. The Canucks have proven they are a hell of a good team. There are zero guarantees how this will go. Momentum rarely transfers from game to game in the post season. They tend to be their own, unique, individual chapters.
I agree that the pressure will primarily be on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7. Yes, the Canucks finished ahead of Edmonton in the standings. But that was only because the Oilers laid an egg out of the gate. The odds-makers and the majority of the prognosticators had the in 5 or 6 games.
But I am not the least bit worried about how those lofty expectations might affect the Oilers in Game 7. You know why?
Because the best players thrive on pressure. It is what makes them great.
So, bring it on. Drop the puck.
Now on Threads @kleavins. Also, find me on Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at
KurtLeavins@mstdn.social. This article is not AI generated.
![When the going gets tough, the Edmonton Oilers best gets going: 9 Things (4) When the going gets tough, the Edmonton Oilers best gets going: 9 Things (4)](https://i0.wp.com/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/thumbnail_cultofhockeykurt-e1716122023646.jpg)
Recently, at The Cult…
McCURDY: The Edmonton Oilers force a Game 7 in Vancouver with a 5-1 winSTAPLES: Social media reacts to big Oilers win in Game 6LEAVINS: Oilers pushed to brink in Game 5 lossArticle content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Create an AccountSign in
Join the Conversation
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
Trending
- Player grades: Edmonton Oilers roll to 5-1 win, force Game 7 in Vancouver
- When the going gets tough, the Edmonton Oilers best gets going: 9 Things
- "He was ripe for the picking": Social media reacts to big win for Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner
- Edmonton Oilers put boots to Vancouver Canucks to force Game 7
- Edmonton woman assaulted attempting to stop hit-and-run: police
Read Next
Latest National Stories
This Week in Flyers