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This is according to Russell Morgan of the podcast “Hockey Royalty,” which compiled the predictions of hockey commentators from ESPN and Sportsnet, and found that 23 out of 26 said the Edmonton Oilers would beat the Los Angeles Kings. ing.
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my view
1. Maybe that's a good sign. Perhaps this kind of assessment is also completely calm and rational. However, it is also reasonable that no one can predict the future, and this type of overwhelming judgment by hockey experts is somewhat disturbing. I say this even though I picked the Oilers in five games.
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2. This positive attack on Edmonton's chances includes Spittin' Chiclets by former Oilers ace Ryan Whitney (who was a truly outrageous player before his ankle reduced his agility to KHL-level quality) That doesn't even include the rave reviews of the podcast.
“I'm very confident,” Whitney said of the Oilers' potential game against Los Angeles. “We've been talking about the best team in the National Hockey League since November…The path was perfect. We were able to beat L.A. (instead of Las Vegas in the first round). We own L.A. doing
“Two years ago we played seven games. Last year we played six games. This year we're going to let them play five games and then we're going to move on and hit whoever wins the Vancouver-Nashville series. I'm going to play that right now. I'm telling you, LA is going to have a tougher series than the next one. But LA, like I say, we own them. ”
Whitney claimed he was not looking down on L.A., but rather got the Oilers because of the team's star power, Edmonton's exceptional power play, and because Edmonton brought in veteran winner Corey Perry.
“This team is a really great team, but right now there's a lot of people who think they'll never win. And their time is now. They're better than they were last year. So is LA. And give them credit. LA is a better team than last year. But Edmonton has reached a new level. They figured out how to play defense. , a system in place, star players willing to sacrifice themselves to play defense, a slightly more defensive style of hockey, and with Connor McDavid anything is possible.
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“This is Edmonton's year. This is the absolute season.”
Whitney then raved about the Cup craze on the streets of Edmonton. “It was crazy outside the arena. F#ckin' Jasper (Avenue). There's Whyte Avenue. In different areas of Edmonton, people were drinking beer, wearing jerseys, praising Joey Moss, singing the national anthem. It's a fucking cup back in Edmonton, guys. And you all think I'm crazy.
“I don't think you're crazy,” co-host Paul Bissonnette said.
I love Whitney's unique craziness. Such enthusiasm and boldness will serve you well in life. I felt the same kind of madness and certainty about the Oilers' chances this past playoff season.
But I'm in a show-me phase with the Oilers.
They will have to prove a level of defensive discipline, maturity and hockey IQ in the playoffs that they have yet to consistently provide in previous playoffs.
They can do that, they can win the Cup, but they can also win themselves. They are the only team that can do that, but they can easily beat themselves.
3. As you said, I am worried. It's an important time. In four games against the Kings this year, Edmonton was 3-1, but the games were close, with Edmonton getting 46 Grade A shots in the series to the Kings' 47.
The two teams were only a few points apart in the regular season standings.
Yes, Edmonton has the advantage in almost every aspect of the game, and other hockey observers seem to see the same thing. However, hockey is often determined by goaltending, puck luck, momentum, and referee decisions. In a series where two teams play, anything can happen, including the Kings beating the Oilers if one side has a slight advantage.
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