KyleBlanchett
Active Member
So are they having two venues to watch the games? I was at every watch party in the ice district and it was an awesome atmosphere because of how small it was.
Plenty of teams that have already clinched a playoff spot will not play full-tilt in the final game, because they don't want to risk injuries to key players (they may even be resting key players for the playoffs) and because it ultimately means very little. The Kraken's last game won't be the difference between making it or not making it; winning or losing just means a potential different first round opponent--neither of which is particularly attractive for the Kraken to face. The Avs are defending champs, the Oilers are red-hot.Just read this article in the Seattle Times...
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I can think of two reasons why the Kraken should play to win -- 1. that indeterminate quality in sports known as "momentum", especially going into the playoffs, and 2. the self-respect players hold out for themselves when taking on "the big dog" -- they are likely going to have to face the red-hot Oilers if they can get past round one anyway -- why put off the inevitable.
And Connor wins the Art Ross and the Rocket Richard.Oilers win their final game of the season’
This season has been unbelievable not only for Oilers fans but for NHL fans in general. McDavid, the Oilers PP, Erik Karlsson's accomplishments in San Jose, Seattle making the playoffs in only their second season, and the incomparable achievement of that Bruins team putting together the most wins in NHL history.Thats 82 games played and I'm excited for more to come. It was an up and down season to begin with but in the 2nd half it was nothing but up for our Edmonton Oilers. Very proud of our squad this year as they look scarier and more determined than ever before. We finish 6th place in the league and 2nd place in both the division and conference with 109 pts, going 18-2-1 since acquiring Mattias Ekholm and end the season on a 14 game point streak and 9 game winning streak.
The 9 game win streak ties a franchise record set in 2001
It also helps us achieve our first 50 win season since 1986-87 and 4th in franchise history
27 of those wins came on the road, a franchise record
Speaking of franchise records, Stuart Skinner finishes the year with 29 wins, surpassing Grant Fuhr for most wins by a rookie net-minder
McDavid finishes with 153 points, the most in the cap era and joins a very small and elite list of players to reach the 150 pt plateau, as mentioned above he has already secured both the Art Ross and Rocket Richard, and will likely be the unanimous winner of the Hart and Ted Lindsay trophies
Draisaitl finishes with 128 points tying Kucherov for 2nd most in the cap era
Nugent-Hopkins also had over 100 points (104) making us the first team since the 95-96 penguins to have 3 players reach the mark
A big part of reaching those totals is our insane PowerPlay which at 32.4% is officially the greatest of all time, edging out the Montreal Canadiens of the 70's and New York Islanders of the 80's, it also set a new franchise record with 89 PP goals in a season and Leon Draisaitl tied Dave Andreychuk for 2nd most PP goals in a season by a player (32)
Sticking with special teams we also finish the season leading the league in Shorthanded goals with 18, hilariously that is just HALF of our franchise record set in the 80's
Our even strength play should not be overlooked though, we finish the season leading the entire NHL in goals for by 20, and are tied for 3rd highest goal differential in the league
What a season. Let's turn it into one to truly remember.
You're right it was a very historic season, a lot of things we haven't seen for a while and some for the first time ever. Before I was around the 92-93 season was very similar, had a crazy surge in scoring that left us with some insane records including Teemu Selanne scoring 76 as a rookie!This season has been unbelievable not only for Oilers fans but for NHL fans in general. McDavid, the Oilers PP, Erik Karlsson's accomplishments in San Jose, Seattle making the playoffs in only their second season, and the incomparable achievement of that Bruins team putting together the most wins in NHL history.
The performance of the two Oilers' Hall of Famers speaks for itself, but for me the real excitement was watching RNH come out of virtually nowhere and wildly exceed everyone's expectations.