Wheels fall off in last 31 seconds
Former MP Grewal treated for gambling problem
DUCKS 2, OILERS 1 (OT)
For 59 minutes and 43 seconds, the Edmonton Oilers had visions of going 2-0 under Ken Hitchcock and sweeping the first two games of their California road trip.
Then, for the next 31 seconds, all they could see were haunting visions of that devastating Game 5 playoff loss to Anaheim two years ago.
In a painful flashback Friday that had everyone in Edmonton remembering the same thing, the Oilers watched Anaheim break their hearts again in the dying moments, scoring to tie it with 17 seconds left in regulation and then scoring again 14 seconds into overtime to win it 2-1.
It was eerily reminiscent of their Game 5 loss when they gave up three goals in the final four minutes of regulation before losing in double overtime.
Nick Ritchie and Rickard Rakell did the damage this time, erasing what the (10-10-2) Oilers thought was a sure thing.
“All we can take away is how well we did play,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who scored what he thought was the winning goal midway through the third period.
“They scored twice in 31 seconds, but it was a hard-fought game. Their tying goal (with six attackers), they just had more guys out on the ice and they get a bounce right to the one guy we didn’t have a guy on. It’s unfortunate, but everyone was working their butt off and we deserved a better fate. Usually in three-onthree it goes our way.”
Prior to that, the Oilers were turning in the kind of game Hitchcock is looking for, a tightchecking, closely-fought, not especially entertaining effort that probably should have gone their way.
And it would have except for, you know, this is Anaheim.
“That (stuff ) is going to happen,” said defenceman Oscar Klefbom. “I think we played a hell of a game, to be honest, especially here on the road in an important game for us against a heavy team.
“Things like this are going to happen. We have to keep our head up, and focus on our next game. If we play a solid game and win in L.A., it’s a good road trip.”
NICK OF TIME
Ritchie had a feeling there was going to be some fireworks at the end of this one. Seems like there always is when the Oilers and Ducks face off.
“There wasn’t much going on in the whole game,” he said. “It was pretty tight out there. Not too many really good chances either way. But it seems like there’s always a wild finish when we play them.”
NO MISTAKEN IDENTITY
They were out for the tying goal Friday, but Hitchcock is otherwise pleased with the formation of Milan Lucic, Zack Kassian and Kyle Brodziak. They logged healthy third line minutes, accomplishing what the coach is asking of them.
“It was an unfortunate goal, but man, they penned guys in,” said Hitchcock, who loved the way they pressure Anaheim in its own end.
“You have three smart players there, one guy can pin the whole group in there on the forecheck.
“They were unbelievable in the third. They had four stalls where they hemmed them in and one guy did all the work. If they’re going to play like that we’re going to be in good shape.”
KOSKINEN IS IN
Mikko Koskinen played for the fifth time in Edmonton’s last six games, coming 17 seconds away from his second shutout in his last seven starts.
“I feel very comfortable with him in the back,” said Klefbom.
“It looks like he has a lot of confidence. He’s really big for us in all situations. I like that there is a lot of competition over who is going to be out there. And it’s good for Talbot, too. It’s a key to take us to the playoffs.”
DWINDLING ICE
Cooper Marody seems to be the odd man out in Hitchcock’s alignment. After playing 4:59 last game in San Jose, he was limited to 3:19 on five shifts Friday in Anaheim.
OH SO CLOSE
Kris Russell robbed former Oiler Pontus Aberg of his seventh goal of the season, fishing a rolling puck off the Edmonton goal-line with 14:31 left in a scoreless third. It was the closest goal-line stand you will see, with maybe a centimetre of puck staying on the line.
At the other end, Brodziak had an open net from three feet away but cut the angle too sharply and missed the net on what would have been the 2-0 goal late in the third period.