The Edmonton Oilers’ hopes of a deep postseason run are hanging by a thread after a heartbreaking Game 4 defeat in overtime. As things stand, the Ducks, who were never anticipated to wage such a fierce battle against the Oilers, are leading the series 3-1.
Under such dire circumstances, a former NHL defenseman has stepped in to remind Edmonton of the importance of staying in the fight till the last minute.
Chris Pronger Urges Edmonton Oilers to Lock In After Challenging OT Loss
The Oilers are one loss away from an early playoff elimination against the Ducks. It would have been hard to anticipate this going into the series, given Anaheim’s long playoff drought. However, the team continues to pose a mighty challenge for Edmonton, having outscored the Oilers 17-11 over the past three wins.
Game 4, however, is bound to sting the most, given the nature of the OT goal by the Ducks’ Ryan Poehling. After his face-off win, Poehling sent a pass towards the crease that deflected off Darnell Nurse’s skate to be finally sent just slightly across the goal line after grazing Tristan Jarry’s skate. The video footage left no room for doubt about Anaheim’s win at Honda Center on Sunday.
Chris Pronger, who spent one season with the Oilers way back when and three with the Ducks, took to X to remind the blue and orange squad that as devastating as referee decisions might be, they are also outside of players’ control.
“There are always going to be calls you don’t like especially this time of year. You can’t control the whistle,” Pronger wrote before adding that what remains well within the team’s reach is how they respond in such situations. “You can control your response. Stay disciplined. Stay locked in. Play your game. That’s how you win when it matters most.”
Discontent among the Oilers was widespread following the decision. HC Kris Knoblauch, for instance, remains unconvinced despite the video footage.
“I can’t see the line. The (initial) goal call on the ice was probably about 60 to 90 seconds after (the shot), maybe even more. They huddled when they got to center ice and then they made the (initial) call that it was a good goal. I don’t know. Wasn’t very definitive,” Knoblauch voiced his qualms, per Associated Press.
However, notwithstanding the unpleasant turn of events, the Oilers’ HC appreciated Jarry, who started for Edmonton for the first time in a while on Sunday. “Tristan played really well. He made some big saves and that’s what we wanted from him. A solid performance,” Knoblauch stated.
Captain Connor McDavid, who almost won the game in regulation for the Oilers, emphasized the urgent need for a comeback. “We’re in a hole, no doubt about it. We have to find a way to get a win at home.”
The Oilers will meet their home crowd on Tuesday, 10 pm ET for one last shot to redeem a series that is slipping out of their hands.
READ MORE: Connor McDavid Puts Cards on the Table Over Tristan Jarry’s Performance in Oilers’ Game 4 Loss
