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:

Game 1: 0-for-2 PP, 1-for-2 PK
Game 2: 0-for-4* PP, 1-for-3 PK
Game 3: 1-for-2 PP, 2-for-3 PK
Total: 1-for 8 PP, 4-for-8 PK

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…

Record this week: 1-2
Record in April: 4-4-2
Road Record in 2026: 9-6-3
Home Record in 2026: 13-11-2
Record vs Pacific Division: 17-9-3
Home Record vs Pacific Division: 11-2-2

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 round, young teams are trying to say there’s a changing of the guard afoot.

Beyond the Ducks, the Utah Mammoth’s speed is a real problem for the Vegas Golden Knights. Although I’m not convinced of the Philadelphia rebuild, the Flyers are one win away from a date with Carolina. The Montreal Canadiens are carrying their weight in a beauty of a tilt vs Tampa Bay.

Youth and speed are claiming supremacy over experience and know-how through the first few playoff games.

Taylor Hall? The former Oiler?

Sentences I didn’t expect to write this spring: Taylor Hall leads the playoffs in scoring (before Sunday’s games began).

Hall headmanned the line with Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake to great results for Carolina, as they made quick work of the Senators. He’s fortunate he wasn’t suspended, either.

Hall’s postseason scoring is better than I expected throughout his career. In 58 playoff games, he’s scored 18 goals and 42 points. He was quiet in last year’s run and has already surpassed his six points. This is his seventh postseason. Hall’s scored at least two goals following every invitation to the ball.

The “Be Careful Everyone” Series ended in a sweep in true Carolina fashion, a smothering checking game where free ice and scoring chances were in short supply. Frederik Andersen finished with more shutouts (1) than Andrei Svechnikov had points (0).

Once I discovered that my eerie Sens upset hunch was the sexy first-round upset, I knew it was doomed.

“I can already imagine writing next week’s column and saying, “Wow, a Canes sweep. Why are we surprised?” – me, a week ago.

For those who remember the Eastern Conference Final of 2023, there was a collective missed opportunity to ask Rod Brind’Amour and Travis Green if it was really a sweep.

Sens in seven…0-1 on the picks.

Last mistake will decide it

To no one’s surprise, the separation between the Stars and Wild is nil. Matt Duchene had a share of the points lead with Hall, which isn’t normal, either.

Duchene has been a prolific playoff scoring struggler, scoring three goals in the past two years. A total of 37 games. He’s got two already, with five helpers.

These teams could play a best-of-nine, best-of-eleven, best of as many you like. If they played 50 games, I’m not sure either team would have a three-win lead.

Some pressure on Kaprizov to justify an impending $17 million contract. A Wild team that once again has lost seven straight playoff rounds, with no real recourse to change anything besides sacrificing the coach, needs to win a best-of-three.

I have a hunch the Wild win Game 5, Stars win Game 6. Then…last mistake loses.

Eagles claw Wolverines

An upset of note.

The Canmore Eagles took down the Whitecourt Wolverines in five games to claim the Alberta Junior Hockey League title. It’s a first in Canmore’s history.

Brendan Ruskowski provided heroics in the sensational North Division final, scoring the OT winners for Whitecourt in both Game 5 and 7 to eliminate the Grande Prairie Storm.

That was a battle of the league’s best two regular-season teams. Much like the Pacific Division, the South Division this season was the weaker side. Division leader Canmore would’ve been tied for the last playoff spot in the North.

Like always, a championship requires timing. Despite struggling and tied 2-2 with the Calgary Canucks, who had fired their head coach right before the playoffs started, the Eagles only lost one more game afterwards.

It’s a tough spell for the Wolverines, who’ve been dominant for three straight regular seasons, but haven’t been able to vanquish a championship.

In the two-and-a-half seasons since the mid-season exodus/exile of the Brooks Bandits, Spruce Grove Saints, Sherwood Park Crusaders, Okotoks Oilers, and Blackfalds Bulldogs, and the title has not left the South Division.

The Eagles will fly to Summerside, PEI to compete for the Centennial Cup, the national Jr. A championship. Heck of a location, but I’m sure a heckuva cost.

Crunch time in junior

For the Wolverines, perhaps they can look east for inspiration.

In the SJHL, the Flin Flon Bombers just ended a 33-year drought. In the 2020s, they haven’t finished worse than fifth overall, and got her done in the end.

Among the out-of-Hockey Canada mould in the BCHL, the Sherwood Park Crusaders will have a crack at being the last Alberta team standing. Game 6 is tonight in the Park, ahead 3-2 in the series. What’s been impressive is how many injuries the Crusaders have withstood, sometimes suiting up with just three forward lines.

The Cowichan Valley Capitals have had an interesting playoffs. They won their division, but narrowly escaped the first round against the Victoria Grizzlies in a Game 7 overtime. Since, they’ve dug a 3-0 hole against the Nanaimo Clippers. On Saturday night, they levelled the series and have a chance to do the improbable and complete the stunning comeback.

The BCHL lost one of their highest profile franchises when the Penticton Vees paid the fee and joined the Western Hockey League. I’m not just saying this because Oilersnation’s own Liam Horrobin is part of their scouting department, but the Vees being in the third round should make waves. Starting from essentially scratch in just a handful of months, they’re going to make a lot of front offices re-evaluate their process.

The U-18 World Championships started last week as well, as host Slovakia upset Canada 2-1 in each team’s opener. Canada has won their two games since and will finish group play against Finland on Monday. Last chance for real eyeballs on top prospect Keaton Verhoeff.

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.

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