[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Oilers have enjoyed an extended run of things going well. No matter what team you are, eventually that turns. In a tournament of 16 when every team going in gets a reset and motivation is at its peak, it's always a prime time for that sudden jerk to the left for teams that have had smooth sailing for weeks/months.

7 game series are a game of momentum & bounces where things can snowball quickly.

This is why I see Boston and Edmonton (teams that haven't seen much adversity lately) bowing out earlier than expected by the pundits.

There always seems to be two teams in the final four that people expect, and two that people do not expect. And often one of those unexpected teams represents a conference.

This also reminds of the Oilers blowing out the Jets all year in the 7 team season and then the Jets using the end of the season to flip a switch for playoffs and ousting them in four.

If the Oilers are counting their eggs already, which we know they pretty much are with comments like "after the parade" from Holland to Ekholm, there's a decent chance an opponent uses that as fuel and gives them a rude awakening.

The Kings are a good candidate for exactly this given the ability they've shown to shut down/limit the EDM guys.