The Edmonton Oilers are within reach of the NHL playoffs and could clinch a spot in the post-season Tuesday night with a win against the Los Angeles Kings.
The team hit the ice for practice Tuesday morning and while the players can taste the post-season, they know it’s not a done deal yet.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We obviously know what’s at stake,” Connor McDavid said.
“We’ve done some good things, we’ve beat some good things but it’s a dog fight. Looking at it, you can finish anywhere from first in your division to second in the wild card so it definitely is still a dog fight right to the end.”
READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs among biggest NHL success stories this season
Watch below: The Edmonton Oilers’ 11-year playoff drought could be over tonight. With a victory over the Kings, the Oilers will be guaranteed a spot in the NHL’s postseason for the first time since their unlikely Stanley Cup run in 2006. Kevin Karius and Quinn Phillips have details.
Forward Jordan Eberle, who started his NHL career with the Oilers in 2010 and played his 500th career game Saturday night, has never seen the post-season.
“Obviously you play here to make the playoffs and it hasn’t gone the way we’ve wanted in the past few years,” he said Tuesday after practice.
“Being here the longest, to finally have the opportunity to do it, it’s exciting.”
READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers playoff ticket prices will weigh heavy on wallets
With the team well aware of the opportunity in front of them, head coach Todd McLellan said the preparation and approach to the game will be the same as any other night.
“That’s something we want to continue to do as we move forward in all the games we play from now until we’re done. The opponent is what’s in the way and I’ve seen that opponent – when their backs are up against the wall – they don’t disappear.”
READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers return to the playoffs will be good for business
It won’t be an easy battle, as the Oilers are facing a desperate team in the Kings, who are 14 points behind the Oilers heading into Tuesday night play. With a loss against the Oilers, the Kings’ playoff hopes fade even further.
Watch below: Patrick Maroon, Jordan Eberle and Todd McLellan talk potential playoffs.
The last time the Oilers made the playoffs was in 2006 when the team went all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. They fell 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Jarret Stoll, who played with the Oilers in the ’06 Cup run, was in Edmonton ahead of Tuesday’s game. He said he still thinks about the “disappointing loss” to the Hurricanes all those years ago.
“Everybody on that team will say that run was very special in a lot of ways. Not just how we played as a team, how close we were as a team, but interacting with the fans that came to the games or around the city, it was such a special time,” he said.
“Me and Greener (Matt Greene) always talk about it too. We look back and we are like, ‘if we just would have won that one game.’ We still think about that loss.”
Stoll said he’s encouraged to see how well the Oilers are doing this year, for the players and the fans.
“I am sure there will be a buzz in the building tonight because they do have a chance to clinch. Happy for the fans and the city. The building is beautiful. Just walking around and seeing everything, it’s pretty special and amazing what they’ve done here.”
Watch below: Jarret Stoll says he still thinks about the disappointing loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006
Tuesday night is also fan appreciation night. Each chair inside Rogers Place has been draped with Oilers memorabilia and there will be prizes up for grabs at the game.
Comments