Oilers know veteran Sharks will be tough to finish off
The young Edmonton Oilers, already on a steep learning curve in the NHL post-season, now face their biggest challenge yet — knocking the defending Western Conference champions out of the playoffs.
“It’s our first chance as a group to experience this,” Oilers centre Mark Letestu told reporters Friday before the team boarded a flight to San Jose for a Saturday night matchup against the Sharks.
“We’re going to have to play our best game of the series, there’s no doubt.”
The Oilers pushed the Sharks to the brink of elimination Thursday in the Western Conference quarter-final, rallying from a two-goal deficit to beat San Jose 4-3 and take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
It’s new territory for the Oilers, who average about 25 years of age. Many of them, including cornerstone players like Connor McDavid, Oscar Klefbom and Leon Draisaitl, have never been to the postseason in the NHL.
The Oilers as a team are returning to the playoffs after missing the tournament for 10 consecutive seasons, tying the Florida Panthers’ dubious record of futility.
Oilers head coach Todd McLellan, who coached the Sharks up until two seasons ago, agreed that the team in teal, with veterans like Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture, have a deep well of experience to draw from.
“The playoff pundits will tell you the toughest (game) to win is that final one. The team that were playing now have a very high belief system regardless of where they are in the series,” said McLellan.
“The important thing for us is to be ready to play.
“I think — at least I believe — we’ve learned our lesson following Game 4. We know they’re going to have a push.”
In Game 4, the Oilers got frustrated, taking cheap shots and cheap penalties, as the Sharks rolled to a 7-0 blowout win. McLellan said the players didn’t stay with the game plan. “Individual players were playing outside of their character traits if you will,” said McLellan.
“(But) last night, we all played within our skin and I think that was real important. That was a message that was sent the day before and players responded.”
Sharks coach Peter DeBoer, in a conference call Friday, said they will regroup and look to find a way to not lose the close games they won en route to last year’s Cup final.
“It’s a razor-thin edge, and we’ve been on the wrong side of it a couple of these games,” said DeBoer.