Edmonton Oilers: Time to focus on just the next game

Nothing can be changed. The Edmonton Oilers lost game one, and while the game might have been closer than the score showed, it still ends in a loss. Winnipeg shut down the Oilers captain, and now it is time to see how they answer.

Some lineup changes probably wouldn’t hurt, but who knows if Dave Tippett is ready to make those types of adjustments. Only one thing is for sure, this game is drastically important to the outcome of the series.

The Edmonton Oilers cannot afford to go down 2-0 in this series.

Dropping game one and losing home ice is not great, but losing the first two would be even more detrimental. While the ramifications of a loss tonight would be drastic, it is still important that the team still focuses on this one game.

Sometimes when it comes to playoff hockey a team can get caught up in the series and let the nerves get to them. If the Oilers give up the first goal or are going into the third period losing tonight they cannot get caught up in where they are at in the series.

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Playing with a sense of urgency is fine, but playing reckless uncontrolled hockey is also not going to get the team anywhere. If they hit the panic button tonight I think we can kiss the playoffs goodbye.

The Oilers system really was working in game one. They were getting opportunities and if they got a bounce here or there the outcome could have been different. I think it just comes down to them proving to themselves that they can do it.

The Oilers have to come out flying tonight. The forecheck at times was off as pucks dumped into the offensive zones were retrieved very little and it seems like they were just not connecting as much as they were doing the regular season. Hopefully with the feeling out process over this team is ready to take things to the next level.

Puck drop is at seven for tonight’s game. Let us know in the comments who you think will score the first goal.

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