`I think we got this': Oilers fans upbeat
Edmonton Oilers fans aren't letting their NHL Playoffs Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings shake their confidence in the team.
Hundreds of fans once again gathered at the Ice District Plaza outside Rogers Place to take in the free festivities before Game 2 against the Kings on Wednesday.
On Monday, the Oilers lost 4-3 to the Kings.
“I think we can battle back, I think we got this,” said Kennedy Burgardt, who was sitting with her friend Gina Antonucci before heading into the arena to watch the game. “The team was strong last time, (they made) a couple of mistakes here and there.”
Antonucci added it was her first playoff game and she is keen to take it all in while the city is abuzz with excitement.
“I'm hoping (the Oilers) come out guns-a-blazin' and they're just ready to go, and they go with the momentum of the crowd, and hopefully that will kind of give them a little extra boost,” she said.
One of the lone Kings fans in the sea of orange and blue was Nathaniel Ouellet. He was sitting with Oilers fans Jax Drader and Cole Drader, and said he also had confidence in his team going into Game 2.
“I think we got to try to shut (Connor) Mcdavid down,” he said. “When he scored that goal it changed the momentum; we can't let that happen again tonight, we got to stay aggressive.”
Jax Drader, however, said he's pretty confident in Mcdavid for Game 2 and expects to see some celebrations.
Hanging out near the stage, Batuhan Ozdemir was also feeling confident in the Oilers taking a win ahead of the game.
“It was a close game last game; we played well,” he said.
“And I'm going to be watching the whole thing this time so I feel like I'm the good luck charm they need.”
Farzad Nasoori, sitting with Ozdemir, added he feels like some easy goals were let in during the previous game.
“I feel like if we're smarter in goaltending we can win this game,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers road game watch parties are back for the first time since the 2016-17 NHL season. For $5 per ticket, fans can enjoy the playoff atmosphere inside Rogers Place as they cheer on the Oilers.
Food and beverage services, 50/50 ticket sales, Hunter the Lynx and more will be available for fans to enjoy as they cheer on the team.
Net proceeds from the ticket sales for away games will go to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation in support of local charities.
Tickets are available as of Wednesday on Ticketmaster, with a limit of eight tickets per person per watch party.
The Oilers take on the Kings in Los Angeles Friday at 8 p.m.