Game 7 is one of the most fun things for almost any hockey fan, the exception being if you are a fan of the Anaheim Ducks. In each of the last four seasons, they were up 3-2 in a series with Game 6 on the road and Game 7 at home and lost both games to go crashing out of the playoffs each time. The Edmonton Oilers are looking to become the latest team to rip out the hearts of Ducks fans in their first trip back to the postseason in a decade.
Don’t miss the action on the ice from the Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Catch every moment of the game live on NBCSN. We will have NHL playoff hockey odds at BookMaker.eu for every postseason game.
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If there were any concerns that Edmonton would be shell-shocked after blowing a lead in Game 5, the Oilers answered them right out of the gate. Edmonton delighted the hometown crowd with six goals in the first 21 minutes of gameplay in a rout from beginning to end. Leon Draisaitl was the star of the night with three goals and two assists, but Anaheim just looked gassed after its comeback in Game 5.
The Ducks are somewhat fortunate that this has come down to a Game 7. Anaheim pulled off the comeback of the century in Game 5, with three goals in 3:15 to force overtime, something no team has done before. Edmonton has scored the opening goal in five of the first six games of this series, but has kept losing leads late.
Player to Watch
John Gibson had his worst performance this postseason for Anaheim. The Ducks’ starting goalie only played for 8:25 before being pulled for the night after allowing his third goal. He has been so-so in this series after being largely brilliant against Calgary in the first round, allowing three goals a night on average.
Gibson has only been in goal for one of the Ducks’ Game 7 losses, but had a pretty awful game. Back in 2014 as a 20-year old, he got the start in Game 7 against the Kings after playing well in the previous three games. However, he allowed 4 goals on 18 shots and ended up getting pulled in a blowout loss. Gibson might not have a long leash in this one.
Matchup to Watch
Edmonton has been amazing on the power play in this series, scoring a goal in five of the six games. The young legs of the Oilers have really made a difference on the man advantage as they are swarming the net with abandon. They have converted on seven of their 25 opportunities against the Ducks and have shut down the Ducks on their chances these last four games.
Anaheim tallied a power play goal in the first two games of the series, but hasn’t been able to find the back of the net on the man advantage since. Edmonton has killed 16 straight power plays and a unit that was seen as a hindrance after allowing four power play goals in one game to San Jose last round has looked more and more like a strength.
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This is not where Anaheim wanted to be. The Ducks have to have some trepidation going into another Game 7 at home and if they fall behind early it could be over pretty quickly. Edmonton is young and hungry and doesn’t have any fear after that Game 6 performance.
The main concern for Edmonton is health on the blue line. The Oilers might not have either Andrej Sekera or Oscar Klefbom available after both players missed Game 6 with various injuries. With that in mind, look for this one to go over the total.
NHL Playoff Odds: Oilers 4, Ducks 2
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