Oilers Know They Need To Take Division Rivals Seriously

The last time the Oilers faced the Ducks was a debacle.

Up 3-1 halfway through the second period against one of the worst teams in the NHL on December 29th, the Oilers let their foot off the gas and blew that lead on their way to a 5-3 loss.

Less than a week later, the Oilers should know they can't take this opponent, or any other, lightly. It wouldn't do for a supposed contender like the Oilers to drop two games to a rebuilding team in one week.

They can be forgiven a little for that loss on Sunday because the Ducks are on a bit of a hot streak. They've won six of their past nine games, including three in a row, climbing from 30th place to 26th since December 14th.

26th place is still a long way off from contention, mind you, but every little bit counts for a team that's been muddling through a frustrating rebuild for years.

Better yet, the Ducks haven't just been beating up on fellow cellar-dwellers. They've beaten Edmonton, New Jersey, and Winnipeg during their three-game win streak, all three wins featuring late-game heroics from Ryan Strome and Troy Terry.

Everything in Anaheim runs through Terry, a longtime Duck who leads the team in goals, assists, and points, coming off a two-goal performance in Winnipeg in which he scored the game-winner in overtime to cap off a late comeback. Shut down Terry, and on most nights you can shut down the Ducks.

Despite their lowly place in the standings, the Ducks have been a tough out all season thanks to their goaltending. They've enjoyed a breakout campaign from Lukas Dostal, who ranks second in the league in goals saved above expected (18.9) and tenth in save percentage (.914). If that weren't enough, John Gibson has turned back the clock, saving 9.2 goals above expected in just 13 games in his best performance since before the pandemic.

Sunday's loss to Anaheim served as a reminder that there are no easy outs in this league. Now suitably humbled by that reminder, the Oilers will have to prove they've learned their lesson tonight as the Ducks come to town.

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