EDMONTON - The NHL's top-ranked power play failed to convert on two opportunities in Game 1 of the playoff series, a narrow 4-3 victory for the Edmonton Oilers against the Anaheim Ducks. Captain Connor McDavid accepted blame, citing his own execution.
"That was me, not being clean enough doing that," McDavid stated Wednesday before Game 2. He added, "That's an area we're very good at, not too concerned about it. With that being said, they threw some different things at us, and we'll adjust."
Edmonton's power play led the league this season with a 30.6 per cent success rate. The Ducks feature former Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft as an assistant, a factor McDavid acknowledged might provide Anaheim with insights, though he downplayed its significance for the Oilers' power play.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch expressed confidence in his captain, noting, "Any time I see Connor do something, maybe not at his best, it usually doesn’t last very long. He usually finds a way to correct it."
Forward Josh Samanski is expected to make his NHL playoff debut in Game 2, drawing into the lineup at fourth-line centre for the injured Adam Henrique. Samanski, who played in the German league last year, had two goals and two assists in 24 games during the regular season. McDavid praised Samanski's defensive play, stating, "Nothing bad seems to happen when he’s on the ice, so that’s a great way to get into the league, from your net out."
Thirteen Ducks players made their NHL playoff debuts in Game 1. Anaheim, returning to the post-season after a seven-year absence, recovered from a rocky start to lead 3-2 before ultimately falling. Knoblauch anticipates a closer series, emphasizing, "Everybody’s going to get a little bit better, because they know the opponent and know what each team has to do."