Break on Through (to the other side)

A giant walks among us. Connor McDavid’s post-game interview with Scott Oake included 97 saying “I’m just part of the team” and it was unbelievable, but a different kind of mind blowing unbelievable than the events witnessed by Oilers nation on the ice last night. McDavid’s 1-1-2 line included six shots, three HDSC, two takeaways and miles and miles of miles and miles traveled at supersonic speed. That’s one of the greatest individual performances I’ve ever seen. I’d find the date of the last game where the captain did the impossible, except I know it was Game 6 against the Kings. In your life have you seen such a player?

THE ATHLETIC!

• New Lowetide: Oilers defence prospects, who’s staying and who’s going?
• New DNB: Connor McDavid is turning playoff dreams into reality
• DNB: For Edmonton Oilers, Game 7 stakes vs. Kings are simply enormous
• Lowetide: What’s Oilers prospect Dylan Holloway’s future fit on depth chart?
• DNB: When the Edmonton Oilers needed them most, McDavid and Draisaitl rose to the occasion
• Lowetide: How Oilers can finally fix salary cap nightmare
• DNB: Five reasons why Oilers are facing elimination against Kings after Game 5
• DNB and Lisa Dillman: Why Oilers-Kings series has been a roller coaster through 4 games
• Lowetide: Reasonable expectations for Oilers could not see chaos ahead
• New DNB: How do Oilers solve depth issues up front after first shutout loss of Jay Woodcroft era?
• Lowetide: Early look at Oilers’ options for 2022 NHL Draft
• DNB: Mike Smith a big part of Oilers win in Game 3
• DNB and Lisa Dillman: Inside Oilers-Kings matchup between Jay Woodcroft and Todd McLellan
• Lowetide: Why Oilers line up as summer trade partner with Ducks
• DNB: Oilers’ Derek Ryan’s under-the-radar play instrumental in Game 2 success
• DNB: A long travel day, dim lights at morning skate and who’s on the real PP1?
• DNB: Oilers end seven-game postseason losing streak, a party five long years in the making
• Lowetide: 5 biggest Bakersfield Condors stories from 2021-22 AHL season
• DNB: How Dave Manson is making the Oilers blue line better
• Pierre Lebrun: Can Jay Woodcroft’s message help the Oilers move past recent playoff failures?
• DNB: Should Oilers play Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on same line?
• DNB: Connor McDavid produces magic, Mike Smith mistake proves costly: 5 Oilers observations
• Lowetide: Oilers regular season report card for 2021-22
• DNB: Mike Smith never stopped fighting. A playoff run would be his ultimate redemption
• Lisa Dillman and Lowetide: Oilers vs. Kings position by position: Who has the edge?
• Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Shayna Goldman: Inside Oilers’ adjustments that saved their season
• Lowetide: Oilers’ exceptional April saves a turbulent regular season
• Lowetide: Stock up or down for every prospect in the Oilers system

GOALTENDER

Mike Smith stopped 29 shots, including six HDSC. For the series, he finished with a .937 save percentage. That’s No. 5 among goalies with three or more appearances this postseason. Smith entered April in need of redemption, and I believe he’s earned it. Ken Holland’s bet, a miserable one for most of the season, now looks like either a stroke of genius or cashing in on the luck of a lifetime. Either way, Edmonton is on to the second round for the first time since 2017.

DEFENSE

Darnell Nurse made a big shot block early in the game, he would have four on the night (and Edmonton 26). He played 20:34, all at even strength, three shots. The duo faced the Kopitar (Kempe-Kaliyev) line 14 minutes, winning the shot (12-10) and goal (1-0) share. Cody Ceci scored the winning goal, three shots, GV-TK, three blocked shots. The goal was a monster, Ceci a major addition. This pairing went 9-4 five-on-five goals during the series.

Duncan Keith and Evan Bouchard went to hell and back during this series (2-7 goals five-on-five) but last night’s results were solid. Keith had one shot on goal, created a rebound, had a giveaway and four shot blocks. This pairing was handed the Danault line (Grundstom, Moore), who were 4-1 at five-on-five during the series (Danault-Moore were 7-2). On this night, Edmonton won the shot share 7-5 and were 2-3 HDSC at five-on-five. For this pairing, an excellent game and some redemption. Bouchard had 10 shot attempts, none landed, but he was fantastic to my eye. One HDSC, drew a penalty, was effective in all areas and his passing is sublime.

Brett Kulak had an assist, four blocked shots, a giveaway and two takeaways. New Dad skated well and played well positionally. Tyson Barrie had another solid game, three shots on goal, placed pucks in good places. Kris Russell played 8:44 and blocked three shots.

FORWARDS

Connor McDavid had as dominant a game as you’ll ever see, a searing display of hockey talent that will live for the ages. For him to deliver that kind of performance on demand is special, it was transcendent. His shifts last night featured LA Kings holding on for dear life, his goal something out of The Matrix. Someday, people will refer to the greatest goals in the game as “approaching McDavidian” these are the best goals ever made. Leon Draisaitl was described by 97 as “a beast” and that’s a fair description, as long as the beast comes equipped with soft hands and a giant brain built for creativity. It was a different kind of performance due to injury, but awesome in a unique way. He picked up an assist, won nine of 19 in the dot (Edmonton was getting caved so 29 joined in after playing wing early), one HDSC and one TK. His health will be a developing story over the next few days. Kailer Yamamoto picked up an assist, two shots, three HDSC, two takeaways and two blocked shots. Playing in the presence of brilliance, it might be easy to overlook an impact performance, but it was there from No. 56. Lovely pass on the 97 goal.

Derek Ryan had a GV, TK, won five of 11 in the circle, and played an intelligent game over 200 feet. He was on for 10 defensive-zone faceoffs. Josh Archibald had a heart attack breakaway but couldn’t cash, two shots, six hits and a blocked shot. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins filled in every column in the game summary save goals and assists. He had one shot, a GV-TK, and did his best ‘bend don’t break’ work over 60 minutes.

Jesse Puljujarvi is skating with power again, that could be a key addition for the next series. He had one shot on goal, two hits. Ryan McLeod had one shot, two giveaways and FIVE takeaways on a night I thought he stepped up when the team needed him. Zack Kassian had three shots, seven hits and a takeaway, plus a high danger scoring chance. Just when I had calmed down about Kassian’s reckless hits, I read Travis Yost saying something like “he’s a penalty waiting to happen” and that’s about right. His presence in the Calgary series could be a big story.

Zach Hyman had five shots, two HDSC, a TK and three hits. He didn’t score but was a worry for LAK in what was a strong series for the winger. Evander Kane had five shots, four HDSC and cemented himself as a memorable figure in this year’s playoffs. His scoring line through the first round (7 goals, 9 points in 7 games) has him in a tie for No. 5 in league scoring. He would be in the early Conn Smythe conversation, but Connor McDavid leads the league with 14 points. One for the ages, ladies and men.

CALGARY OR DALLAS?

It has to be Calgary. If we’re in Revelations, and that seems obvious, then the obstacles are all death or glory. I can’t wait either way. Last night was one of the best hockey games I’ve ever seen, can’t wait for the next one. Connor McDavid is a full force gale.