San Jose Sharks At Edmonton Oilers Game Thread

IT BEGINS

The Edmonton Oilers are playing their first playoff game in nearly 4000 days. The San Jose Sharks finished third in the Pacific Division this season, but rank goes out the window tonight as they’re in Edmonton to take on the Oilers. The Sharks finished last season as the runner up to the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Can the Oilers find a way to unseat last year’s best in the West?

How To Tune In

Time: 8:00 PM MDT

TV: Sportsnet (Canada) NBCSN (USA w/ provider access)

Radio: 630 CHED

What To Watch For From The Oilers

The Oilers need a jitter-free performance in their first playoff game in over ten years. They’ll need to hit the ice like they’re playing in game 82 of the season against Vancouver. McDavid needs to be McDavid. Talbot needs to be Talbot. It’ll be the first playoff game for guys like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. The spotlight will be white-hot. The Oilers will need to maintain their composure in their biggest game in over a decade.

What To Watch For From The Sharks

Logan Couture is expected to be in the lineup for the first time since March 25th after taking a puck to the grill. Joe Thornton is a game-time decision. Thornton has been out since April 2nd after a leg injury stemming from a hit by Vancouver’s Michael Chaput. Both men are key centres for the Sharks, and their absence would create gaping holes in the roster. Couture will be in the lineup wearing a full face shield, while Joe Thornton is a coin-flip for this evening.

Final Thought

The Oilers are going to need to play like this game is their most important game in over ten years, because it is their most important game in over ten years. While they’re doing that, they can’t let all of that get inside their heads. It’s taken some time for the Oilers to get where they’re at tonight. Now, let’s see what they’ve got.