Within a point of 1st, Talbot calls win over Sharks a 'big statement game'
A playoff spot was only the beginning. The Edmonton Oilers want more. Home-ice advantage, in particular.
A 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday has the club within a point of Anaheim for first place in the Pacific Division, and Edmonton's feeling really good about its game right now.
Four wins a row, and eight wins in their last nine, in which they've outscored the opposition 37-17. Seven wins in a row at home, their last loss at Rogers Place coming March 12. A Pacific-best plus-30 goal differential. Yeah, things are good right now in Edmonton.
"We have to go through these teams in the playoffs and this is a big statement game for us," Cam Talbot said after the game. The goaltender was superb, again, stopping 38-of-40 shots.
Connor McDavid scored a brilliant shorthanded goal and added an assist, eclipsing the 90-point mark for the first time.
"We want to play these games going into the playoffs," the captain said. "We want to ramp up our game."
Guess who the Oilers play next? The Ducks, on Saturday, at home, with first place on the line.
You're not dreaming, Edmonton. Enjoy.