For the first time since 2017, the Edmonton Oilers have won a playoff series.
On two occasions in their Western Conference First Round series, the Oilers trailed in the series as the Los Angeles Kings applied pressure. Edmonton, however, was able to win Game 6 on the road, and then dominate LA in Game 7 at home.
I did not think that the Oilers were capable of a performance as dominant as theirs was in Game 7, but they proved me wrong. Edmonton came to play and was able to earn a 2-0 victory.
The win was sparked by a lopsided second period. While the Oilers were only able to come away with one goal in the middle frame, they fired a franchise-record 24 shots on goal and spent what felt like the entire 20 minutes in front of Kings goalie Jonathan Quick.
The Oilers were not going to be stopped in Game 7.
After the commanding second period, captain Connor McDavid took over in the final stages of the game, scoring his team’s second goal on a tremendous individual effort to seal the win.
Yup this is one we'll remember. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/IK5BnFVq9L
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 15, 2022
McDavid finished the series with 14 points (four goals and 10 assists) including two in the final game of the series. No player has scored more points than the Oilers captain so far in this postseason.
In addition to McDavid, goaltender Mike Smith stole the show in Edmonton’s Game 7 win. The 40-year-old netminder made 29 saves to earn the shutout over the Kings. He made at least 30 saves in each of the other six games in this matchup, making him a key contributor to this series win.
For the game, the Oilers outshot the Kings 41-29, did not commit a single penalty, and generated 19 takeaways. This game was the most complete outing I have seen from the Oilers, and now for the second time since reaching the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton is advancing.
The Oilers will face either the Calgary Flames or the Dallas Stars in the next round. No matter which opponent it turns out to be, McDavid and company will have to prepare to crack an elite defense if they hope to advance to the Western Conference Final for the first time in 16 years.