You maybe saw me saying the same at start of series. That the Oilers had to win games by a 6-2 type scoreline because they seem unable to comprehend or manage tight games. We lost all 3 games in this series that were close.
With the Oilers its as if something is wrong with their internal calibration of where games are at. You can spot it all the time. The Oilers score the 1-1 goal in the game and act like they won the SC. All they did was tie a game against the grain of play in a game in which they were being vastly outplayed. The Oilers proceed to play two more strong shifts before Kings take the game back and score two more goals. Oilers get one back and feel good about themselves. Kings score another and OIlers get it back tied late in game, act like they've won the cup again.
Yet every fan of this team viewed the OT with trepidation. I mean who really thought we were going to win in OT? Our chance to W was late in game. With the 20min break I knew the Kings would be able to reset. They even said that on telecast. The Oilers thought something entirely different. Maybe they thought they would "Weather the storm" lol
Man, we're fans of the Oilers. The 80's club was legendary for putting teams out of their misery in OT especially guys like Anderson. They would deliver euthanasia quick in OT, most of the time, and generally understood that OT is a one goal crapshoot. You better score first. Kings got the memo, this Oilers team never does. I mean imagine coming out in OT like that in a playoff game. Kings almost won the game 3 times in 70secs.
It's definitely something I'd be investigating as the coach and gm. What's done in between periods and games in that organization and players that causes such a swoon in their play.
1. Are they just not fond of each other and not a tight team?
2. Are they just scared of failure and play timid out of the gate.
Why does something have to go right for the team before it can play a competitive game of hockey?
Why was there absolutely no push back when L.A went up 1-0
I feel how your team comes out and starts games and periods is a direct reflection on the teams will to win. The drive to win and lay it on the line. Your desire to win the game. Shit happens on the ice after that causes momentum swings. That's hockey. But when a team is consistently coming into periods and asserting their will on the other team it speaks volumes about which one is really dedicated and invested.
The Oilers are a team of individual talents that can't assert their will on the game until desperate. They emotionally drain themselves during the game and series because they only know how to play competitive hockey when they're desperate or things are going well for them. Were we really that good in game 2 and 3... or was L.A just poor?
I feel the only the Oilers are going to win this series is if they get especially lucky. Or L.A lets them. If L.A wants it.. it's theirs. That's what I've seen over 5 games. 3 games where L.A wanted it. And 2 games were L.A let up and let the Oilers have it. I have yet to see a game the Oilers took by the nuts against an L.A team that was giving it all.
L.A has it figured out... in 1 playoff series.
Edmonton hasn't figured it out.. in 2 years going on 3.