ANAHEIM \u2014\u00a0In a series tied at one win apiece, we\u2019d say both teams could make a case for blowing their opportunity to be up 2-0.<\/p>\n
But, as the series shifts to Anaheim for the first Stanley Cup Playoff games at The Pond in eight years, this is also a guarantee: Both the Anaheim Ducks<\/a> and Edmonton Oilers<\/a> can also see a world in which they could be down two games to none at this juncture of the series.<\/p>\n So let\u2019s all agree: a 1-1 series seems just about right, all things considered. Nobody got dominated for six periods; nobody lost or won on bad luck or a goofy call.<\/p>\n But how did we get here? And where does it go from here?<\/p>\n Well, the Oilers had a plan. And then reality arrived.<\/p>\n The plan\u00a0\u2014\u00a0In the run-up to the series, Edmonton\u2019s leaders spoke of how they would endeavour to play a lower event, defensively responsible game. We reminded readers that back when the Oilers were the Ducks \u2014 a young, run n\u2019 gun team of mostly 22-year-olds \u2014\u00a0opponents who forced those young Oilers to play a hard, grinding game with limited chances were the teams that gave Edmonton the most trouble.<\/p>\n The reality\u00a0\u2014\u00a0When it comes to dictating how the game has been played through 120 minutes of hockey, Anaheim has had far more control than Edmonton. The series scoring \u2014\u00a09-8 for Anaheim \u2014\u00a0tells us these teams are playing a lot closer to the 5-4 hockey that Anaheim has played all season long, compared to the 3-2 game the Oilers talked about rolling out now that the playoffs have begun.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can have the best game plan in the world,\u201d analyst Ray Ferraro told Sports 1440 in Edmonton Thursday. \u201cBut if the players aren’t executing, especially in the defensive zone, there is nothing you can do. The Oilers just need to decide they are done mismanaging the puck and will clamp down on the Ducks.<\/p>\n \u201cIndividually, the Oilers need to take the next step and commit defensively and make better passes.\u201d<\/p>\n The plan\u00a0\u2014\u00a0In the regular season, Edmonton\u2019s power play ranked No. 1 in the NHL while Anaheim\u2019s was 23rd. The Oilers power play has won them many a post-season game over the past five years, and there is no reason that should change now.<\/p>\n The reality\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Through two games, the Ducks power play is tops in the NHL at 60 per cent, while Edmonton\u2019s is in a five-way tie for dead last at 0 per cent. Add to that the shorthanded goal the Ducks scored in Game 2, and it\u2019s 4-0 in special teams goals in favour of the Ducks. That\u2019s a level of dominance that could easily have given Anaheim a 2-0 series lead.<\/p>\n Now, what are the odds that Edmonton\u2019s power play \u2014\u00a0best in the NHL this season; best over the past five regular seasons; best over the past five playoffs (among teams with more than seven games played) \u2014\u00a0won\u2019t figure it out? Probably about as good as the Ducks continuing to shut out Connor McDavid<\/a>. Speaking of which\u2026<\/p>\n The plan\u00a0\u2014\u00a0McDavid is the best player in the world, averages 1.53 points per game in the playoffs (third best all-time behind Gretzky and Lemieux). He\u2019ll turn in his usual three points every two games, and the rest of the Oilers will penetrate Anaheim\u2019s weak defensive play, easily getting Edmonton to four goals (or more) per game.<\/p>\n The reality\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Edmonton has scored four goals in each game \u2014 all at even strength \u2014\u00a0and it hasn\u2019t been enough for a sweep. McDavid has posted zeroes across the board, the first line has one goal, and the power play is pointless. Yet, the rest of the Oilers have cashed four times in each game, which should be enough.<\/p>\n Both head coach Kris Knoblauch and McDavid said the injury McDavid suffered in Game 2 will not affect McDavid in Game 3. So, will the Ducks be able to keep a blanket on the Art Ross winner for the rest of this series?<\/p>\n If they do, hand them the crown. Because nobody else has done it.<\/p>\n