The Edmonton Oilers have evened their best out of seven series with the Calgary Flames at one game apiece. On Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, the Oilers defeated the Flames 5-3 in game two of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Two Oilers had three points each to lead the team in scoring. They were Duncan Keith of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Leon Draisaitl, who both had one goal and two assists. Connor McDavid, the Oilers captain, and 2022 Art Ross Trophy winner from Richmond Hill, Ontario, also had a multi-point game as he had one goal and one assist for two points. Meanwhile Evan Bouchard of Oakville, Ontario, and Zach Hyman of Toronto, Ontario provided the Oilers with the other Edmonton goals.
One thing Edmonton needs to improve on are their starts. They have been dreadful in the opening minutes, and have had to play catchup as a result. After trailing 3-0 in game one, Calgary had a 2-0 lead after the first six minutes and two seconds in game two. Oilers goaltender Mike Smith struggled in both contests in the first period, but rebounded nicely in game two. Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft stuck with Smith on Friday after pulling him in game one. On Wednesday, Mikko Koskinen was awful in relief, making some to suggest Edmonton should have considered starting Stuart Skinner of Edmonton, Alberta in game two.