Year after year, the Oilers scored strong power-play goals during playoffs providing a strong offensive onslaught. But on Monday’s Game 1 of the NHL Playoffs, the Oilers suffered a 6-5 loss against the Los Angeles Kings in a wild back-and-forth game at Crypto.com arena.
Curious about local reaction, the Gazette spoke to long-time fans. Whether it’s patriotic pride or local team appreciation, every single fan hopes the Oilers’ show of force will rally them past Round 1.
But there’s also some skepticism after examining all-season injuries that sidelined power players Evander Kane, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with injuries.
Henry Irving and Doug Folk shared a beer at Crown & Tower Pub on Tuesday night and have been long-time Oilers fans since 1977. The retired duo's responses were hopeful, but cautious.
“I think they’re going to be OK. It’s not going to be easy. Los Angeles definitely has a good team. Our team definitely isn’t as strong as it should be, but it’s all a crap shoot anyway,” said Irving. “If they get past the first round, they have a good chance. But as a team they don’t have the right mojo.”
Folk was more blunt.
“It (Game 1) was boring. The Kings dominated. They delivered. But in the third period the Oilers picked up and it got exciting. They tried but gave up,” said Folk shrugging his shoulders.
“But if they bring Evander Kane back, it will make a difference.”
Over at Thirsty Rooster Ken Shebib was biting into a juicy steak at the bar watching a televised game. He predicted the Oilers will win Round 1 in five games.
“It’ll be a sweep from the last night on,” Shebib said.
Sitting next to him, Bob Neilson also believes the Oilers will outlast Round 1.
“They really picked up in the third period last night after two periods of practically nothing, and they looked good. As long as we don’t get any injuries, they’ll do well,” said Neilson.
Further down the trail at Dicey Reillys, Rick Steward was also enjoying a leisurely game of hockey.
“There’s only one team for me. My hope is that the Oilers win in 6 and go on to the Stanley Cup. But they broke my heart last year, so I don’t know. They came within one goal of winning this year, so I really don’t know,” Steward said.
“Evander Kane was out. I hear he’s coming back for the second game. McDavid was out. Draisaitl was out for a while but they're back. We’ve had a bad season, and we need all the stars and secondary players to do a good job.”
