It wasn’t the start to the postseason that the Edmonton Oilers were looking for, as they lost Game 1 to the Los Angeles Kings 4-3. Connor McDavid was Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl was Leon Draisaitl, but unfortunately, Mike Smith was also Mike Smith.
Smith has always been an avid puck handler throughout his NHL career, and while it’s led to some great plays and even a goal, it has also burned him many, many times. Monday night was one of those times, as he attempted to make a play up the middle of the ice when there were better passing options, and it resulted in a turnover that led to the game-winning goal for the Kings.
Frank Seravalli was talking with our goalie expert Mike McKenna on the Daily Faceoff Show, and asked for his thoughts on why Smith went up the middle on that play.
McKenna: “Great question. You can see the outlet pass that’s available to Duncan Keith. And then, if this picture were to pan out, there was another option on the other side. Bouchard’s ready for a pass as well. So, I instantly wonder if the D are calling for the puck. But no matter whether they are or not, Mike Smith can’t go up the middle here.
"He’s trying to make a home run pass, and even if he gets it up to his forwards outside of the defensive zone, all it would’ve been was a two-on-two rush. The risk/reward of him going up the middle was not worth it, and guess who picks it off. Right in the middle of the ice, that Danault/Iaffalo/Moore line was phenomenal. They get right on top of it, they can see Smith’s going there, and even though the puck doesn’t go in the net right away, it’s a cascade of fact, you turn it over, goes to the point, it’s in your net.
"It’s a turnover that simply can’t happen for Mike Smith. And as you said, he’s the best puck handler in the game today, all he needs to do is make 10-15 foot outlet passes. Give it to the players with the long sticks, let them go up the ice, because Edmonton’s so skilled at carrying the puck. He just simply overdid it in this scenario.
"I’d be surprised if it happens again during this series, but this was a game-changing moment without question, and against the wrong line on L.A. That Danualt line dominated last night. Their puck retrieval was all over the ice, they were phenomenal. As you said, Edmonton could have easily won this game. L.A let them back into the game in the second period with the penalties they took, but Edmonton wasn’t able to close it out.”
Seravalli: “Here’s my issue with the Oilers, and I mentioned this with Jason Gregor on the DFO Rundown on Monday is, they’ve found a way the last few playoff rounds to beat themselves. If you’re going to hand a team like the L.A. Kings that Game 1, you better clean it up throughout the rest of the series. I think if they’re in a spot where they’re down 2-0 to L.A. heading to L.A., they’re in big, big trouble. So, a critical Game 2 for the Oilers coming up on Wednesday night.”
You can watch the full episode here…
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