Oilers’ Mike Smith says decisive Game 7 in Edmonton is ‘what dreams are made of’ – Edmonton | The Canadian News

For goalie Mike Smith, this is what the NHL playoffs are all about.

With a win at LA on Thursday, Smith and the Oilers forced a Game 7 in their first-round series against the Kings. The decisive showdown will be Saturday in Edmonton.

“Obviously it’s what dreams are made of, going to Game 7 at home in Edmonton,” the goalkeeper said. “So the guys are very excited.”

It’s been an up-and-down series for the Oilers.

They dropped a tight Game 1 at home, captured blowout wins in Games 2 and 3, then were shut out in Game 4.

After a slow start to Game 5, Edmonton came back to force overtime, but ultimately suffered a 5–4 loss that put the team on the brink of elimination.

Thursday’s Game 6 saw the Oilers take an early lead, but the Kings equalized in the third before Tyson Barrie scored the game-winning shot with just over five minutes left on the clock and Evander Kane added a net goal. empty to seal the 4. -2 win.

READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers head home for Game 7 after 4-2 win in Los Angeles

Each game has represented a different set of circumstances, Edmonton head coach Jay Woodcroft said Friday.

“We have already surpassed the previous six games,” he said. “Our focus is to be the best we can be tomorrow.

“We know that we are going to have to be better than yesterday. And we’re excited to do it in front of the most rabid fans in the National Hockey League.”

Many in the Oilers’ locker room are familiar with the pressure that comes from playing in the big moments.

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Duncan Keith has dressed in 141 NHL playoff games and won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks. Brett Kulak was in the blue line of Montreal’s historic playoff run last season, and Zach Hyman felt the glare of the spotlight during his six seasons in Toronto.

Meanwhile, the Kings have 11 players who made their playoff debuts this season.

Experience can be key in big moments, Smith said.

“I think if you’ve been around and you’ve been through situations in your career, it can only pay dividends in tough times,” said the goalie, who will play his 36th playoff game on Saturday.

“So I think it’s a game, anything can happen. You just have to make sure you try to bring your A-game and put it all out there.”

READ MORE: Oilers vs. Kings among 3 Game 7s scheduled for Saturday in NHL playoff action

Some of Edmonton’s biggest stars are upping their game in the playoffs.

Captain Connor McDavid has put up multi-point performances in five of six games and leads the league in postseason points with 12 (three goals, nine assists). Winger Evander Kane is tied for the most goals (seven).

After scoring two goals and an assist in Thursday’s crucial win, Kane said persevering through a tight game would help his team build confidence.

“There are guys that have been in this situation before, there are guys that haven’t,” he said. “Having that experience and having it be positive, it’s a good feeling.”

The Oilers have already sold out Rogers Place to a boisterous crowd of 18,347 for three playoff games this year. They know the atmosphere is only going to get more feverish for Game 7.

“It’s going to be juicy,” Kane said with a smile.

However, being at home hasn’t always been an advantage for the Oilers in the series, as the Kings posted wins in two of three games in Edmonton.

The group isn’t worried about being overwhelmed on Saturday, Barrie said.

“I think Game 1 was maybe the only time we were a little bit nervous or whatever, but now we’ve settled in,” the defenseman said.

“Give (LA) credit: They played a couple of games on our track, but we want to be home for this one. And we want the track to rock like it will. And we’ll be ready for that.”