Anaheim Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle called it “the biggest game of the year for both teams.” His Edmonton counterpart Todd McLellan framed it as just another game, a sure sign he didn’t want his Oilers over-reacting to their first game of this magnitude in years.
In the end, Anaheim was ready for the test while Edmonton looked like a team that hadn’t seen a spotlight this bright for a long while. Here are a few other things we learned on a Wednesday night in Anaheim, as the Ducks beat the Oilers 4-3:
[snippet id=3317575]
Cam Talbot is human after all.
The Oiler starter’s shutout streak of 148:18 ended with a clunker, when Patrick Eaves‘ long wrist shot squeezed under Talbot’s right arm to tie the game at 1-1 in the opening period. The way he’s played lately — all season, for that matter — you won’t see any criticism of Talbot’s game in this space.
We didn’t even mind any of the next three goals that much, but the numbers are the numbers: four goals on 18 shots. With a game in Denver against the Avalanche on Thursday, Oilers coach Todd McLellan pulled Talbot in favour of Laurent Brossoit, partially to keep his options open for a starting goalie against the Avs.
The Oilers played this game on their heels.
The standings say there is nothing to choose between these two teams. But as this game wore on, Anaheim played like a team trying to win while Edmonton was trying not to lose.
The Oilers defence was tentative, backed in all night, and had as much to do with Talbot’s bad night as the goaltender himself.
Hey, this franchise hasn’t played a game of this magnitude in a decade. Collectively, they’ve got a lot to learn.
[relatedlinks]
The Ducks have been there.
Anaheim has written the book on how not to win a Game 7 at home in the playoffs. But remember, they get all the way to that game every season. This team has played more big games in the past 12 months than Edmonton has in a decade. In it is that intangible that makes Edmonton the underdog, should the two teams meet in the first round.
The Oilers are ready to make their way past the Ducks, but not until they gain some experience. Wednesday’s game was a start.
Your best players…
Connor McDavid (who factored on all Edmonton goals) and Leon Draisaitl had two points each in the first period. Meanwhile, Anaheim’s top forward (Ryan Getzlaf) and top defenceman (Hampus Lindholm) ended up with three points each on the night. We’re not criticizing the Oilers duo, but the Ducks’ best players won the night, helping the Anaheim take this game over from the start of the second period until halfway through the third.
Speaking of Brossoit…
Brossoit hadn’t played a minute in a calendar month, and came in to give the Oilers stellar relief. The seldom-used backup stopped all 16 shots he faced, which is a calming development for a team that really had no clue how Brossoit would perform in the NHL after having not played for so long.
Does Brossoit get the start in Denver? Well, Elliotte Friedman said it before I could write it, but we both agree: I ask Talbot if he wants the start. If he says yes, it’s his.
