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Oilers vs Stars Round 3 Game 5 |
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After going down 2-0 early in the first period, it looked like the Oilers were going to be in a situation where they were down 3-1 in the series. Instead, the whole team regrouped and attacked the Stars relentlessly for the remainder of the game. Even after the team went up 3-2 on a shorthanded goal by Mattias Janmark, Edmonton did not sit back and try to defend a one goal lead and continued to pressure Dallas. That is the exact style of game the Oilers will need to implement to win tonight.
Darnell Nurse has not had a good playoffs at all and while not every one of his playoff leading 18 goals against was his fault, a number can be traced back to a mistake he made. That all being said, credit where credit is due as Nurse played his best of the playoffs in Game 4. Prior to last game, Nurse had 22 hits in 15 games in the playoffs. He registered 12 in one game. Nurse was physical, made smart plays, and moved up in the offensive end when it was appropriate.
Nurse will never be a 9.25 million dollar defender. That is on Ken Holland for the contract. If Nurse can play like he did in Game 4 and be a net positive player, he can still be a valuable asset on this Oilers roster.
It's wild that the first special teams goal of this series not only took place in Game 4, but it was a short-handed goal. The Stars are 0/9 on the PP while the Oilers are 0/6. This series has been a 5 on 5 affair and Edmonton is holding their own in that regard against the excellent depth and skill of the Dallas Stars.
Ryan McLeod finally got on the board with a great opportunistic goal. McLeod has done some excellent things defensively but simply has not produced nearly enough. That being said, neither have his regular linemates in Foegele or Ryan. McLeod isn't a line driver but so few players are. Playing with Draisaitl McLeod has the speed and positioning to get into the correct spots and take advantage. An astute move by Knoblauch.
Knoblauch deserves credit for mixing up his lines going into Game 4. Making 3 roster changes in a must win game is a gutsy move. I think his best move was not only slotting Perry back in but putting him into a role with Draisaitl and McLeod. That immediately paid dividends and helped start the Oileres comeback.
No lead is safe in this series as we have seen 2 goal leads from both teams now get eliminated. It just goes to show that neither team can be counted out at any point in the game and that Edmonton specifically needs to be prepared for the counter attack should they gain the early lead.
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The big question mark for the Stars is whether or not Chris Tanev will play and if he does, how effective he will be. Tanev left Game 4 early after a Evander Kane shot and did not return. While coach DeBoer was optimistic about Tanev for tonight, the player was spotted in Edmonton with a walking boot on.
Using Game 2 in Dallas as a gauge. Heiskanen and Lindell led the way for the Stars at 5 on 5 with 24:50 and 23:52 respectively in time on ice. Next was Tanev at 19:01 and Hayley at 17:39. After that the drop off is severe in Suter at 14:43 and Petrovic at a whopping 8:43.
The Stars basically have been running 5 defensemen in this series and have leaned heavily on their top 4. Tanev being out or injured is a huge blow for the Stars and one that Edmonton needs to find a way to take advantage of.
For the Oilers it looks like Sam Carrick is in for Derek Ryan but otherwise the Oilers will be keeping the same lineup as Game 4. That includes Philip Broberg in the lineup alonside Cody Ceci. I would prefer Desharnais over Ceci but I understand the coach not wanting two young defenders paired together and the Broberg-Ceci pairing did have a solid showing together.
A win tonight gives the Oilers a chance to close out the Western Conference Finals at home in Game 6 while a loss leaves them facing elimination. As each of these games have been, I expect a close and entertaining game.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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