While the Edmonton Oilers are awaiting the start of the second round of the NHL playoffs to begin, we are offered the chance to reflect on the triumph of their victory over the Los Angeles Kings. For a third season in a row the Oilers bested the Kings, requiring one less game each season. This shows a continued progression for the Oilers, a maturation along their path towards their ultimate goal.
In order to make good on their promise, or at least to have any measure of team success, a team needs to be exactly that, a team. The Oilers have a lot of strong performances to defeat the Kings, but we polled our readers about who had the most impressive first round performance.
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Bouchard a top defenceman
Evan Bouchard continued to prove that he belongs among the league’s elite offensive defencemen, scoring one goal and nine points in just five games. Bouchard’s dynamic offensive ability is vital to the Oilers attack in every situation, with four even strength points and five power play points in the series. No stranger to throwing pucks on net, Bouchard also ranked fourth on the Oilers with 16 shots in the series.
Although scoring is the main selling point for Bouchard, he was a stable force, averaging just over 22 minutes per game, most on the Oilers. Bouchard will be a huge part of any success the Oilers have going forward this playoffs.
Skinner was solid in between the pipes
Outside of the Oilers Game 2 loss, where the Kings jumped out to a quick 3–0 lead, Stuart Skinner had a solid first round series. With a .910 save percentage and a shutout, Skinner won his second ever playoff series, both against the Kings. This season Skinner seems much more comfortable as the Oilers starting goalie, a welcome sight for Oil Country.
Skinner started to rocket up the Oilers depth chart over the past five seasons, and quite frankly the Oilers needed his ascension. While the Oilers are surely regretting their large commitment to Jack Campbell, Skinner has come into his own at the right time for the team. This should be greatly appreciated for the Oilers, entrusting Skinner with the reigns of Connor McDavid’s prime, but perhaps beyond, as Skinner might be able to insert himself into the conversation for a best-on-best team Canada.
Hyman’s play is no surprise
Following up his 54-goal regular season Zach Hyman did not disappoint, scoring seven goals and eight points through five games. Hyman has continued to improve his overall game into his 30s, earning consideration as one of the best free agent signings in NHL history. Seeing as playoff MVP Jonathan Marchessault scored 13 goals over 22 playoff games last season, putting in perspective Hyman’s incredible Round 1 performance.
The Oilers will be expecting a lot more production from Hyman going forward. Like Skinner, Hyman’s continued growth might earn him a spot on a best-on-best team Canada in the future. Of course, the long term does not matter much to Oil Country at the moment. Hyman’s ability to generate shots from the netfront will be crucial in the tight checking of the playoffs, not to mention against a stingy Vancouver Canucks team.
Draisaitl is the standout performer
Who else? Leon Draisaitl is arguably the best playoff performer in NHL history, at least as a scorer. No regular season point per game player has increased their rate in the playoffs as much as Draisaitl has. Draisaitl added to his legacy in Round 1, scoring five goals and 10 points in five games.
It has not been all sunshine for Draisaitl of late. While he was once considered in contention for mantle of the world’s second best player, arguments of that nature have waned over recent seasons. In fact, Draisaitl and his lines has struggled to control possession as much as Oiler fans would like. Despite this, Draisaitl continues to elevate when the games matter most. Clearly Oilers fans are aware of Draisaitl’s greatness, as evidenced by his landslide victory in this poll.
Bonus mentions:
Connor McDavid and Mattias Ekholm received some love in the comments, both worthy suggestions. McDavid might have fallen victim to expectations, as far as this poll is concerned. Of course, McDavid made history, becoming only the second player to record 10+ assists in a series on two separate occasions—Wayne Gretzky being the only other to accomplish the feat. Only injury has kept McDavid from sweeping the major awards in each season of his career, the nail biting race for the Hart Trophy this season a testament to his usual stranglehold on the award.
Meanwhile, Ekholm had a strong series himself. Often overshadowed by Bouchard’s scoring prowess, Ekholm is equally important to one of the best defence pairings in the league. Ekholm is a huge piece of the Oilers efforts to forge an identity that embraces defence, a metamorphosis that must take place should the Oilers wish to achieve their ultimate goal. While his opening round was not the standout performance of the Oilers victory, Ekholm, like many others, is a big part of the Oilers triumph over the Kings.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
