Things have been trending in the wrong direction for the Edmonton Oilers in their round one series against the Anaheim Ducks. They're behind 3-1 as they fly back to Edmonton for a must-win Game 5, and questions exist about the future of the roster should the team be unable to mount a three win comeback.
But there have been bright spots too, and the Oilers below have carried their weight and contributed positively during their playing minutes. It's a team game, but these individuals deserve a bit of a shout out all the same.
Kasperi Kapanen
Kasperi Kapanen dealt with some injury trouble during the regular season that limited his total games played to 41, but had he been healthy, his point totals had him on track for his best season as an Oiler, and one of the best of his career. He had continued that trend in the playoffs, scoring dogged and timely goals. He sits tied for second in playoff goal scoring at the moment, with four goals.
The journeyman winger is 29 years old currently, and he's set to become a free agent. Given the overall decline in the bottom/middle six over the past couple seasons, Kapanen sure looks like a player the Oilers will want to retain. He arrives ready to play every night, and he's been one of the few bright spots in the series.
Leon Draisaitl
Leon Draisaitl returned from his time on injury reserve 100% ready to play playoff hockey. Even though he has spent limited time playing with Connor McDavid, his line has been dominant when they're on the ice. Draisaitl himself has amassed seven points in his four appearances, and his linemates have benefitted from his play as well.
Draisaitl, when healthy, has been a playoff performer his entire career. He elevates his game when it matters the most, and when he drives a line without McDavid, opposing teams are forced to gameplan for both of them separately. McDavid started the series slowly, but if he's able to summon his own elite gameplay for the balance of the series, the Ducks could be in hot water.
Jason Dickinson
Brought in to kill penalties and prevent 5-on-5 goals against, Jason Dickinson delivered on both aspects after arriving at the trade deadline. Then, in spite of his own late season injury challenges, he came out for Game 1 of the playoffs and scored two goals. That unexpected offense was a big reason the series isn't already over.
Since Game 1, Dickinson hasn't contributed offensively, but that isn't his day job. His plus/minus remains at +2, suggesting that he's prevented 5-on-5 goals against in the games that followed. The Oilers' recipe for success has long been merely ensuring the bottom six players don't lose the game, and trusting that McDavid and Draisaitl can win by outscoring their opponents during their own ice time.
Dickinson is admittedly a part of the Oilers' struggling playoff penalty kill. The Oilers have allowed a staggering SIX powerplay goals through their four matchups with the Ducks. Any one penalty killer can't be held responsible for that trend, but as a group, they need to be much better. If Edmonton continues to lose the special teams battle, they'll lose the series as well.
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