Ducks use fast start to get back into series vs. Oilers

And the Ryan Kesler line, charged on and off with shadowing, pestering and checking the McDavid line, finally answered back with some pure offence.

Edmonton tied the game at 1 on Letestu’s second goal of the playoffs during a five-on-three power play at 6:22 of the second period.

St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko reacts after scoring the go-ahead goal, his second of the game, in the third period against the Nashville Predators during Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Friday, April 28, 2017, in St. Louis. They had easily swept Calgary in the first round in four games.

However, the Oilers quickly responded through their own power play. That may not be a large disparity except the Ducks have struggled killing penalties in the playoffs at a clip of 64% easily the worst among playoff teams. Perhaps their downfall in the postseason is the result of missing vital defencemen, such as Cam Fowler, who has since returned, and Sami Vatanen. Bieksa couldn’t play in Game 2 because of a lower-body injury suffered in Game 1. With all these injuries to defencemen, it will be even more vital for the Ducks to stay out of the box.

With 12 points overall (seven goals, five assists) against the Ducks this season, Draisaitl is garnering more focus from both the opposition and the media, but he is not shying away from either. And with it, the team’s season was circling the drain as well.

It will be tough for the Ducks, though, if Talbot can continue to play like he did on Friday. Someone will have to step up though and the person most people are looking at is Corey Perry.

The Edmonton Oilers can all but end this series with a victory here and taking a commanding 3-0 lead.

It’s a lesson that came in handy for the Oilers on Wednesday night in Anaheim. He’s played down the stretch, he played games against us, and he’s had experience.

And yes, McDavid and the Oilers are well aware of Anaheim’s designs. The Oilers won 5-3.

“When you have players like Leon and Connor, those guys, you have to get on the rush if you want to have your opportunities”, Larsson said. That left the eventual goal-scorer Mark Letestu completing undefended. “They pushed us hard and they did a lot of good things tonight”.

After a four-goal third period in the series opener, the Oilers entered the rematch with plenty of the same energy. The Oilers challenged the play for offside, but the goal stood after a video review.

Yeo praised the Predators for the way they checked the Blues, but was straight to the point with his assessment of his team’s performance.

The Oilers hogged the puck in the offensive zone and Ducks such as Ryan Kesler, Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell couldn’t get off the ice for a line change. Granted, the goal he scored was an empty-netter, but when he scored it, it seems like the Ducks weren’t prioritizing their defense of him.

Talbot kept the Oilers on top by thwarting Anaheim shooters throughout the contest.

Corey Perry was not at his best to start the National Hockey League playoffs. Lucic then receives the puck from Draisaitl.

The Oilers lead the best-of-7 series 2-0 with Game 3 in Edmonton on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports).

“I’m trying to be the best player I can personally possibly be, and I try to do that night in and night out”, Draisaitl said.