With star forwards Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid nonetheless sidelined as a result 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.
It is going to be the second recreation 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 dwelling 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 recreation down the stretch.
“I believed we confirmed numerous resilience,” Edmonton ahead Connor Brown mentioned. “We did not get deflated between intervals. We got here out, grinded and grinded and nearly clawed our method again.”
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch added, “I really like the character on this group. The very fact we have been in a position to come again towards a very good group with out our two prime gamers, very 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 result of an undisclosed harm. 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 recreation with a lower-body harm.
“Leon will probably be again earlier than Connor,” Knoblauch mentioned. “We’re taking a look at per week, perhaps shorter, for Leon, and Connor will probably be longer than that.”
Beginning goalie Stuart Skinner seemingly 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 pictures 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 time beyond regulation defeat at Calgary on Tuesday, Seattle’s third straight setback (0-2-1).
Together with his squad all however eradicated from the playoff race, Seattle coach Dan Bylsma mentioned the group is concentrated on attempting to construct a powerful end to hold over into subsequent season.
“I like what I noticed from this group,” Bylsma mentioned after the loss to the Flames. “The blokes are clearly eager to make a press release 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 attempting 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 attempting to instill that into our recreation.”
–Area Degree Media