Last Sunday, I laid out my paths to victory for the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks.

A quick peek at those factors through three games…

Edmonton: 

Oh boy… How about for the Ducks?

Anaheim:

Anaheim is accomplishing roughly 3.5-out-of-5 on the key factors, while the Oilers got a big bagel cooking. Seems about right. 

On special teams, the Ducks are plus-4, with four power play goals and one shorthanded. In the three regular-season games, the Ducks scored four PP goals as well. Make it a total of 8-for-20 versus the Oilers in 2025-26. 

I agree, the Oilers’ man advantage is creating chances. The issue is, in a small sample size like a best-of-seven playoff series, positive regression might take until next season to sort itself out if you don’t get immediate results. Ask the Ottawa Senators, who went goalless on 17 straight power plays vs the Canes. There’s no solace in being due. 

Special Teams: 

Edmonton were five-on-five merchants before Game 3 evened the situation a bit, as it sits 11-9 at five-on-five. The expected goals percentage is 51-48 per cent, a slight edge to the quack.    

Not that it really matters, but I picked the Oilers in six in the series. As we’ve learned, the Ducks have sneaky depth in their lineup. 

I’ll say this before Game 4. One win and she’s a split back to snowy Edmonton, where winter seems to never end… 

Changing of the guard?

The regular season saw some of the last half-decade or longer teams claim good numbers in the standings. Through 3-4 games in each........

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