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Preview: Game 79 Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks

Ducks just three points away from Pacific leading Kings, McDavid chasing 50 points in injury shortened season

By Jeff Chapman
Another goal and one more assist puts Connor McDavid at 45 points in 41 games.
Another goal and one more assist puts Connor McDavid at 45 points in 41 games.
Kenny Karst-USA TODAY Sports


ducks

@
Edmonton
41-23-10, 91 points,  1.223 p/g- Ranks 30-41-7, 67 points, .858p/g
Pacific Division - 2nd Pacific Division - 7th
7th Points / Game 30th
1st Special Teams 20th
7th Shots on Goal 24th
2nd Goal 27th
7:00 PM MDT
TV - Sportsnet West
Radio - 630 CHED
Rexall Place
The opposing view:  Anaheim Calling

Kings Keep Oilers' Comeback At Bay

Los Angeles finished 40 minutes of play with a sizeable 5-2 lead over Edmonton.  The Oilers made it interesting with two goals in the third period, but were unable to tie a fifth goal on as the Kings escaped with a 6-4 victory.

The Kings ripped open the scoring just sixteen seconds into the first period as Tyler Toffoli scored his 28th of the year.  Edmonton roared back 22 seconds later as Jordan Eberle potted his 25th.

A questionable call ensued midway through the first period as Jeff Carter was credited for his 19th goal of the season, where Milan Lucic did some heavy interference with Oilers goaltender Laurent Brossoit.  Brossoit was effectively taken out of the play, and the Kings were able to knot the game up as Carter scored his goal with Brossoit caught on the ice.

Patrick Maroon scored a pair for the Oilers in the third, but as it's been all too much this year, it wasn't enough for the Oilers.  The Ducks are in town to wrap up the season series with the Oilers.  Let's go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

"I still think (Brossoit) needs to be better.  He has things to learn like the rest of this team."

Source

That's Oilers head coach Todd McLellan on his goaltender Laurent Brossoit's performance in a 6-4 loss to Los Angeles.

Brossoit is 0-5-1 in his NHL career.  Surprising absolutely no one, it's a little difficult to win with these Oilers.  He signed a nice entry level deal recently, but with another year of waiver exemption, I don't see how he's on the Oilers full time next year.

The opponents are saying

"Every time our power play goes onto the ice, I think they're going to have a chance to score...That's a good feeling."   Source

That's Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau on Anaheim's power play.

HIGH VOLTAGE
Anaheim's power play is first in the league at 23.7%.  That's nearly a full percentage point better than the Capitals (22.8%).  Know what else Anaheim does well?  They're first in the league on penalty kill.  I know, look it up.  (86.6%)
Oilers will do well to keep out of the box tonight.

Have some of this

  • So far, the Maroon trade has paid off.  A pair of goals for Patrick Maroon against the Kings is nothing to scoff at either.  Score this one firmly for Team Chiarelli.
  • The Ducks have clinched a playoff berth, and the Oilers...well, they're fun to watch sometimes.  Anaheim has owned the season series against Edmonton with a 3-0-1 record, and are just three points behind Los Angeles for the Pacific Division lead.
  • Cam Talbot (20-25-4, .918 SV% / 2.52 GAA / 3 SO) will likely go tonight against Anaheim's John Gibson (17-11-3, .917 SV% / 2.13 GAA / 4 SO).  Overall, Talbot's had a successful year on a lottery team. Good for him.
  • Another goal, and another assist for Connor McDavid gives him 45 points (15-30-45) in 41 games. I think we'll keep this one.
  • Andrew Ference (hip), Brandon Davidson (knee), Eric Gryba (knee), Benoit Pouliot (shoulder), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (concussion) and Oscar Klefbom (leg), are out for the Oilers, The Ducks are without Kevin Bieksa (upper body), Sami Vatanen (face), David Peron (shoulder), and Simon Despres (undisclosed).

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