WCQF: PAC(2) Edmonton Oilers vs PAC(3) Los Angeles Kings | No Goods win 4-3

[Enoch Root]

Woodcroft has no experience with playoff coaching. He is about to learn that they are a completely different beast at the NHL level.

Most coaches lose before they win in the playoffs.

The matchup, McLellan vs Woodcroft, strongly favours LA, despite the Oilers' success under Woodcroft in the regular season.

[foshizzle11]

I don’t know about the rest of you but I hope the oilers win round 1 and I think they will and the round 2 battle of Alberta is going to be epic.

Then the flames can lay a beat down on their win the cup.

This is going to be so fun, I cannot wait for it to start!

[CroFlames]

I 100% always cheer for Oilers losses.

It’s like a law of physics, it’s non negotiable.

[Sylvanfan]

One thing that L.A. has going for them is that they have two centers in Kopitar and Danault who both have proven that they can play that 200 foot game in the playoffs. If those two can neutralize McDavid and Draisaitl and they stay out of the box, they will keep this series close.

I think the Oilers should be able to win in 6. But like most on this site, a Kings sweep in 4 will absolutely delight me. Although if Darnell Nurse was to try an outlet pass that banks off Mike Smith's skate into his own net late in a tied game 7 for the game winner...that would be pretty awesome too. I'd love to see McDavid's bus throwing after that.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Smith will let in one bad goal in game one. Oilers confidence and game will collapse. Kings in 4.

[the2bears]

Kings win this on Edmonton ice. Either 5 or 7 games.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Oilers: 1-7 in their playoff style games in the last two years.
Smith: 1-9 in his last 10 playoff starts
McDavid: drops to 0.76 career points per game in the playoffs.

Why are people high on that team? I don’t get it.

iTz dIfFeReNt tHiS yEaR

[Shazam]

A lot will be contingent on how effectively they cover mcavi and pee pee face.

They have to beat the living tar out of them early and for extended periods of time. I figure by the middle of game 2 they should be rendered ineffective for the rest of the playoffs, but I'm not sure the Kings are capable of it.

[topfiverecords]

Pretty confident that Kane, Hyman, and Keith are significant enough additions to get them over the hump. They’ll win a game this time.

[Spinach]

My brain says Kings in 7.

My heart says Oilers, get the hell out of here.

[CaptainCrunch]

My says that right now the Kings game plan is around a heavy forecheck that the Oilers defense is going to suck at handling. Every chance you get you lay a hit on the wonder twins. And bug she crap out of Smith in front of the next.



Also cross ice dump ins so Smith is neutralized.


Kings in 5 as McDavid and Draisaitl go into pissy obsessed with whining about the reffing role right after game one

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by jmac98

I definitely agree with this. It is Edmonton’s series to lose. They are playing their best hockey at the right time and should be able to win rather convincingly.

That said, they’re still an extremely fragile group regardless of the boasting from their fan base, local reporters, etc. The slightest hint of adversity could greatly impact this team and alter the narrative. They have a well documented recent history of underforming and failing to meet expectations, and although are currently on a great run, have actually had quite a tumultuous season full of inconsistencies and turmoil.

See, this is what I don't understand. Yes, they've been winning quite a few game toward the end of the season. But they were winning them in 3 on 3 OT and shootout which none of those will happen in the playoff. If that's there best hockey, how in the world would they be able to win let alone convincingly?

[dino7c]

LA was missing 7 players and they beat them in a SO and 3-2 recently. Kings have six guys back.

Kings won an earlier head to head 5-2.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

One thing that L.A. has going for them is that they have two centers in Kopitar and Danault who both have proven that they can play that 200 foot game in the playoffs. If those two can neutralize McDavid and Draisaitl and they stay out of the box, they will keep this series close.

I think the Oilers should be able to win in 6. But like most on this site, a Kings sweep in 4 will absolutely delight me. Although if Darnell Nurse was to try an outlet pass that banks off Mike Smith's skate into his own net late in a tied game 7 for the game winner...that would be pretty awesome too. I'd love to see McDavid's bus throwing after that.

If these two Cs for the King's can play at the top of their game defensively, I think the Kings could do some damage.

It would be great to see mcllenan exact his revenge to boot!

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by dino7c

LA was missing 7 players and they beat them in a SO and 3-2 recently. Kings have six guys back.

Kings won an earlier head to head 5-2.

Yup and they played the Flames really tight. I was impressed.

It will be a lot closer than people think. I can see a lot of back and forth. Edmonton will get their goals but I see LA answering right back to keep the games close. They were good at answering in that last game in Edmonton.

Kings are fast and cycle well. For lesser skilled teams work ethic tends to be the Oilers kryptonite. Out-working them usually isn't hard. Problem is many teams just didn't look motivated, for whatever reason.

That game in Pittsburgh the pens were just standing around. Gross effort.

[EVERLAST]

Woodcraft is NOT going to like whats about to happen.
Has has superstars that cannot play D.
One of which is about himself first , his money, his gambling debts.
Old man or Inconsistent goalies backing up.
An overhyped Defence like we've never seen .
Edmonton night beat the Kings but they'll be In rough rough shape to go more Than 1 round .
I think as laughable as this seems that he's gonna need his assistant coach to convince them that Defense might also be pretty important because you aren't outscoring every team , every game with the style they play. Wide open end to end and NO D doesn't win cups.

[Mass19]

Oilers in 6

[Buff]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

My heart says Kings in 6. But my brain says Oilers in 6

Somebody needs a lobotomy!

[Itse]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

Woodcraft is NOT going to like whats about to happen.
Has has superstars that cannot play D.
One of which is about himself first , his money, his gambling debts.
Old man or Inconsistent goalies backing up.
An overhyped Defence like we've never seen .
Edmonton night beat the Kings but they'll be In rough rough shape to go more Than 1 round .
I think as laughable as this seems that he's gonna need his assistant coach to convince them that Defense might also be pretty important because you aren't outscoring every team , every game with the style they play. Wide open end to end and NO D doesn't win cups.

Last time Kane was in the playoffs, he followed a 30 goal regular season with 2 goals and 60 penalty minutes in 20 playoff games. That's the playoff experience we want to see him bring.

[Backstop]

Moneypuck has Oilers 61% vs Kings 39%
https://www.moneypuck.com/


PlayoffStatus has Oilers 64% vs Kings 36%
http://www.playoffstatus.com/nhl/nhl...edule.html#mu5


NHL.com staff picks were Oilers 11 votes vs Kings 5 votes
https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-stanle...ks/c-333627936


I don't see the Oilers outscoring their defense and goaltending issues in 4 quick games. The kings will win a couple early and drag it to 7 games, Smith will be feeling it by game 5 and get sloppy. Kings in 7