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Game 4 Recap - Great Start, Weird Middle, Great Finish - Oilers up 3-1 |
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Just like they drew it up.
Once again, it seemed like the Oilers were destined to win. Despite the 5 on 5 shot attempts being 13-6 in favour of the Calgary Flames, it was the Edmonton Oilers who went into the dressing room after the first period up 3-0. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins opened the scoring after Markstrom attempted to play a puck that bounced off the boards after a Tyson Barrie shot but played it right to #93 who fired it into the open net 21 seconds into the game. Flames fans were likely all thinking "here we go again."
Prior to the start of this game, the Oilers had gone 1/15 on the PP in this series. For a team that had one of the best powerplays in the league during the regular season those numbers aren't good and also you knew that eventually Edmonton would find a way to capitalize on the PP. That happened just under 10 minutes into the game as Zach Hyman would bang in a puck past Markstrom to put the team up 2-0. Hyman continues to be everything this team needed. The energy he brings on every shift and ability to score from any area of the ice, particularly in front of the net continues to be a godsend for the Oilers. Edmonton would finish 2/4 on the powerplay though the second goal was an empty net goal.
Just as the last minute of the game was approaching, McDavid entered the zone with the puck and was hauled down by Gudbranson though no call was made by the official. Gaudreau went to play the puck but a smart check by Cody Ceci forced the puck away from the Flames player which was picked up by Draisaitl and promptly passed to Evander Kane who had a clear shot on net and did not miss. That goal was Kane's 11th of the playoffs and would score the empty netter as well to put him up to 12. His 12 goals puts him first in the NHL in playoff goal scoring, 3 ahead of the next highest player David Perron.
Going into the second period, it seemed like all momentum was in favor of the Oilers. Calgary had very little presence in the Edmonton zone and the shots they did make were from the outside with very little danger to go in. Finally the Flames were able to capitalize after Elias Lindholm was given far too much time with the puck and sniped one blocker high over Mike Smith.
Woodcroft once again had a great game behind the bench, making little changes here and there that helped the Oilers out but I think his one gaff was putting out the Archibald/Kassian line immediately after this goal was scored. Archibald took himself completely out of the play to make a needless check which allowed Backlund easy entry into the Oilers zone. Combine that with Duncan Keith blowing his own coverage of the puck carrier and 27 seconds after they scored one, the Flames had their second.
Edmonton would go on to win 5-3.... okay fine fine, I'll talk about it.
This series has had it all; high scoring games, big hits, highlight reel plays, and comebacks from being down multiple goals, but this one takes the cake. As Kane carried the puck into the Flames zone as the powerplay was expiring, Rasmus Andersson was able strip it away from him and immediately fired the puck down the ice. It was a perfect storm of Smith being caught unaware and players in front of him in just the right places. He never saw it coming and from 132 feet away the Calgary Flames tied the game up 3-3 with 9 minutes remaining.
In the past those types of goals could have been the Oilers undoing and after losing all the momentum they could have sat back on their heels and hoped the game would go to overtime where they would attempt to regroup. Instead they pressed forward and started to attack the Flames once more. RNH chipped the puck in as Hyman pursued. Hyman battled against the boards as Yamamoto, who was added to that line (one of the astute adjustments by Woodcroft) pushed in and took the puck around the net and out to Tyson Barrie who fired a shot on net Markstrom was not able to control as The Nuge was able to chop it past the Calgary netminder to take the lead once more with just over three minutes remaining.
Andersson would take a double minor shortly after on a high stick on Ryan McLeod and Kane would eventually score. Final score: 5-3 Oilers as the Northern Alberta team takes a commanding 3-1 lead in the series with a chance to move onto the Western Conference Finals on Thursday in Calgary.
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Some quick general thoughts:
- For the fourth straight game Jacob Markstrom has allowed at least four goals. Prior to this series, no one would have given the Edmonton Oilers the advantage in the goalie matchup but even with his highlight reel gaffs, Smith has been the better netminder.
- Overall the Flames did a far better job at suppressing Connor McDavid's chances. McDavid had only two assists on the night with one of them being an assist on the empty net goal. As I wrote in my last blog, teams can only contain McDavid for so long before he breaks out again. Flames fans have to wonder if they squandered a real decent effort.
- Though the total goals wouldn't suggest it, the Flames have still been the better 5 on 5 team overall in this series and at any point the numbers could start to tilt their way. Credit to the Oilers however for being very advantageous in capitalizing on the mistakes that the Flames have made.
- Was I the only one who thought Matthew Tkachuk was absolutely invisible last night? Tkachuk registered only a single shot on goal at 5 on 5 and was credited with only a single hit. Not just on the powerplay but in general Lindholm was the best player on that line from start to finish. Edmonton has absolutely dominated that line power vs power and maintaining that level is what will allow the Oilers to move on to the Conference Finals.
- I'm thinking Woodcroft might finally be preparing to sit Josh Archibald. Despite averaging the second fewest minutes at 5 on 5 in this series (25:19), Archibald has been on the ice for 4 goals against and out-chanced 4-17. Archibald who has been a regular penalty killer when he is in the lineup did not play at all in that game. Whether it is Derrick Brassard, Devin Shore, or hopefully Dylan Holloway, someone needs to come in in place of Archibald. He is actively hurting the team and the Oilers need a boost in their bottom six going back on the road in Calgary.
- Quick shoutout as well to Brett Kulak who continues to be one of the more astute signings by Ken Holland. Kulak has allowed Woodcroft to spread his minutes out among his defenders more evenly and I would argue has also helped to improve the play of Tyson Barrie. No single pairing is carrying the load for the Oilers but each duo has done their job effectively.
This game was a huge test for the Oilers. They failed against the Kings when they had a chance to put their foot down on their opponents throat and while they bent against the Flames in Game 4, they did not break and found a way to get things done. Calgary isn't going to turn over and accept defeat and will likely play their most desperate game at home on Thursday. The Oilers need to be prepared to weather that storm, make smart plays, and find a way to close this series out against their provincial rival.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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