In just his third career Playoff game, Dylan Holloway came up huge. His first Playoff appearance before Wednesday night was in Game 4 against the Colorado Avalanche in the 2022 Western Conference Finals. Evander Kane was suspended for Game 4, and the Oilers were down 3-0; there was nothing to lose with that call-up. This fanbase has been as patient as humanly possible with Holloway’s development curve. They’ve been screaming, as the Hockey Night In Canada panel put it, to see strides. I understand, and have applauded, how Kris Knoblauch would rather not change lines or pairs that work and have success. But if two goals on the 4th line doesn’t warrant a 22-year-old first-round pick getting a promotion in the lineup, I don’t know what does. Getting sent down to the AHL doesn’t always mean the worst for a young player. Holloway’s been playing great hockey since coming back up from Bakersfield.
Some mistakes were made on the defensive side, and they needed more saves from Stuart Skinner. But as I said in my keys to Game 2, not every game is going to be like Game 1. The only thing that changes about Los Angeles each year Edmonton plays them is which goalie is their starter. They’re still a good team, and you have to acknowledge when good teams do good things. Just like in the first game when Skinner made a great save a moment before his team scored, Cam Talbot did the exact same thing for his team with the exact same end result in the second game. If you went into Game 2 thinking they’d just roll over and surrender, you were already in for disappointment before the first puck drop. While you don’t want this to be a strategy too many times, at least the Oilers won’t quit when they go down a goal or two. And I realize Connor McDavid told the refs that Kings players may’ve had their hand on the puck at the crease with that scoring chance Edmonton had. But when the overhead view was shown, it looked like they were trying to avoid touching it and just defending desperately by lying down. There were strong feelings about this, but it doesn’t excuse the outcome of the game.
The Kings did what other teams have done in these Playoffs after losing the first game on the road. They’ve rewarded themselves with a split going back to their own building. Let’s move on, get back to work, and regain the series lead. The keys to the game are…
Visitor Energy: Rogers Place was loud and hyper, expect Crypto.com Arena to be loud and hyper. The home crowd, whether you hear them erupt or go quiet, is like music to all viewers. It was kind of funny to hear Oilers fans jeer a former goalie of our team. But in the same way, Talbot needed to put that behind him, Skinner needed to do the same and drown out that distraction.
Boring Hockey: Every fan of the sport wants to see more goals. 7-4, 5-4, those are entertaining outcomes to watch. But part of what made the Kings successful in Game 2 was going back to their defensive structure that they know works best for them. It makes Edmonton have to work harder for their goals. So don’t rush plays that you don’t 100% know will work.
Hollywood: Former Oiler Tyson Barrie gave Holloway that nickname, and the Oilers are playing their next two games in Hollywood. Do you see how that all pans out? As I mentioned, I want Dylan Holloway to move up in thlineupup. But if stays where he is, and even if it’s not always on the scoresheet, his line needs to keep having more big games going forward.
