With star forwards Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid nonetheless sidelined as a consequence of accidents, the Edmonton Oilers proceed their pursuit of a top-two end within the Pacific Division once they journey to Seattle to play the Kraken on Thursday.
Will probably be the second sport of a back-to-back set for the Oilers (41-25-5, 87 factors), who path the second-place Los Angeles Kings by two factors within the race for home-ice benefit within the first spherical of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Edmonton had a five-game level streak (4-0-1) finish with a 4-3 residence loss to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. The Oilers trailed 4-0 halfway via the third interval however fought again with three targets within the span of 9:05 to make it a one-goal sport down the stretch.
“I assumed we confirmed a number of resilience,” Edmonton ahead Connor Brown stated. “We did not get deflated between intervals. We got here out, grinded and grinded and nearly clawed our manner again.”
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch added, “I like the character on this crew. The actual fact we had been capable of come again in opposition to a extremely good crew with out our two prime gamers, more than happy with that.”
Draisaitl, who leads the NHL with 49 targets and is tied for second in scoring with 101 factors, hasn’t performed since March 18 as a consequence of an undisclosed damage. He participated in some drills however no line rushes within the morning skate previous to the Wednesday loss.
McDavid, tied for fourth within the NHL with 90 factors, missed his second straight sport with a lower-body damage.
“Leon can be again earlier than Connor,” Knoblauch stated. “We’re taking a look at per week, possibly shorter, for Leon, and Connor can be longer than that.”
Beginning goalie Stuart Skinner probably will not make the journey to Seattle after leaving the Wednesday loss with 13:26 to go after getting clipped within the head by the knee of Mikko Rantanen. Calvin Pickard completed up and saved all three photographs he confronted.
Seattle (30-36-6, 66 factors), 17 factors behind the St. Louis Blues for the ultimate wild-card spot with simply 10 video games to go, has misplaced 9 straight video games to the Oilers relationship again to January 2023, together with a 5-4 loss on Saturday in Edmonton.
The Kraken adopted that with a 4-3 additional time defeat at Calgary on Tuesday, Seattle’s third straight setback (0-2-1).
Along with his squad all however eradicated from the playoff race, Seattle coach Dan Bylsma stated the crew is concentrated on making an attempt to construct a robust end to hold over into subsequent season.
“I like what I noticed from this group,” Bylsma stated after the loss to the Flames. “The fellows are clearly eager to make an announcement right here with the final 10 video games of the season. That was a 20-man effort, and that is coming from all people. Guys hanging their jerseys collectively. Guys enjoying for one another. And that is the way you play the sport.”
Kraken ahead Tye Kartye added, “We’re simply making an attempt to instill a tradition of battling and by no means giving up and enjoying for the man beside you. So, for the final 10 video games, we’re simply making an attempt to instill that into our sport.”
–Discipline Degree Media
