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G72: Oilers @ Kings - Who Will Start Game 1 of the Playoffs? |
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The good news for Edmonton is right now they have two netminders who are postings strong numbers. Mikko Koskinen is 8-2-1 in his last 11 starts and a 0.916SV%. Mike Smith meanwhile has gone 5-3-1 in his last 8 starts with a 0,915SV%. The only reason the Oilers beat the San Jose Sharks in a dull, lifeless game was because of the saves Smith made and of course that great pass to McDavid in overtime.
Make no mistake, this will not be a blog saying that Ken Holland made the right moves with the Oilers goaltending. There are still plenty of reasons to be concerned. Let's take a look at Mike Smith for example;
Smith has played ten games this season against teams that are currently in the playoffs. In those games he has posted a 0.847SV% and a 3-6-1 record. The most recent win Smith had against a playoff team was the St. Louis Blues where the Oilers were up 4-1 before finally winning 6-5 in OT.
Mikko Koskinen meanwhile has played 20 matchups against playoff teams and has a 0.889SV% and record of 12-8-0 in those games. Koskinen has the better record but neither of these goalies are posting world beater numbers against playoff teams.
Eight of the Oilers remaining eleven games are against playoff teams or teams vying for a playoff spot. Only the Blue Jackets, Canucks, and Sharks are teams completely out of it. Sorry Canucks fans, mathematically you are still in it but it's basically done.
Watching how the Oilers play in these games, specifically the goaltending should help to give a better indicator on what to expect from this team going into the post-season. Tonight is the last game against what appears to be the Oilers most likely opponent in the first round; the LA Kings. Mike Smith gets the start tonight. Last time these two teams faced off it truly felt like a playoff matchup; whistles put away by the refs and everything. I expect more of the heavy stuff tonight.
It does look like Leon Draisaitl will be ready to play tonight. #29 went down awkwardly against the Anaheim Ducks but Leon still finished the game, registering his 50th goal of the season and while he skated before the game on Tuesday against the Sharks, he did not play. I don't have all the facts but it looks like Draisaitl suffered a nasty bruise from that hit but that's all. Bad enough to hurt and be kept off for a game to not risk further injury, but nothing that would keep him out long term. Breathe easier Oiler fans.
Leon has a way to go now to try and catch Matthews in the goal scoring race as #34 for Toronto registered a hat-trick, bringing his total up to 54. One more total to watch is Connor McDavid who has a chance to hit 50 goals for the first time in his NHL career. In order to do that he would need to score 9 goals in these last 10 games. A tough task indeed but this is Connor McDavid we are discussing.
Enjoy the game!
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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