While much of the hockey world may be dismissing the Edmonton Oilers, the team itself maintains a strong sense of belief, whether genuine or outwardly displayed.
This is characteristic of professional sports, particularly within NHL teams where players are used to ending their seasons with a loss far more often than a win.
Holding onto belief doesn`t ensure success. That`s an accepted fact.
But losing that belief guarantees you will lose – also a fact.
So no matter how bleak the situation appears, a team that looks defeated will believe until there`s nothing left to believe in.
Edmonton is no different. This is simply how the industry works.
“Well, we`re very optimistic,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters in L.A. before flying home for Game 3. “We spend a lot of time in the offensive zone, the forecheck has been good, getting them to turn over pucks… But now, it`s the next play.”
Frankly, you and I might not be so optimistic about the Oilers` immediate future, having observed and documented the numerous issues that led to two losses and 12 goals against in the first two games of this series.
The scent of redemption and revenge after three straight losses to Edmonton emanates from these Kings. No NHL franchise or fanbase would enjoy this dismantling more than the Kings and their fans, especially after the last three springs.
This is difficult for me, as a sports writer. But let`s adopt a positive tone.
It is a world that exists where the Oilers buckle down and win Game 3. From there, with newfound confidence and a tweak or two that worked, lies a chance to win Game 4 to force a best-of-three series that – we might be stretching it here – could now go either way.
So, where does the hope lie?
Through how many layers of the earth`s crust must we dig to unearth an Oilers game that once dominated L.A.? A level of execution that could once again repel players like Kempe, Byfield, Kopitar, and Danault?
Tristan Blackwood