The Night Before: The Oilers Remain A Mystery With A 3-1 Series Lead, and Steve Kerr’s Comments After Another National Tragedy

May 25, 2022 Eric Jensen NBA, Nhl 0

NHL

The Edmonton Oilers took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 5-3 win last night over the Calgary Flames. Is it such a commanding lead though? Out of courtesy to my good friend and die hard Oilers fan Alex Lundberg, well I am going to say no.

Mike Smith was an abject disaster in goal in the win giving up a weak under the arm goal to Mikael Backlund and a full ice length goal to Rasmus Anderson. There is no guarantee of improvement and Smith could be a key reason the Oilers give up the series if they don’t close it out in the next three games.

Despite tremendous depth scoring showing up once again for the Oilers it’s hard not to remember the struggles they had closing out the series against Los Angeles just weeks ago.

Weeks ago, I wrote about the Oilers as a potential sleeper cup team, with the goaltending they are currently getting and the play of the Tampa Bay Lightning as currently constituted, I am no longer confident in that statement.

Calgary has a home game five to get back into the series, I am more confident in the series returning to Edmonton for game six than I am it being closed in Calgary in game 5.

Meanwhile in New York the Rangers evened up the series 2-2 with a 4-1 win. Let’s put Igor Shesterkin’s magical performance to the side for a moment and focus on the Ranger’s power play.

A group that produced one of the prettiest goals of the playoffs when Andrew Copp fed a truly beautiful cross ice feed to Frank Vatrano in the low slot for a goal. It’s been a series in which both teams power plays have struggled but the Rangers group was especially good in game four. Sure they only went 1/4 but that one goal was crucial in sending the early momentum the way of the Rangers.

This was the first game in the series it felt like Antti Rannta was truly broken though. Rannta has been spectacular through four games but the levy finally seemed to break during game four despite several magnificent saves. As always game five will be a crucial momentum shift for the series, if the Rangers snag the win in Carolina they can finish them off at home where they have been brilliant in the 2022 playoffs.

Here’s that Igor shoutout I delayed, again a spectacular performance, letting in only one goal on 31 shots.

NBA

After an impassioned and fed-up Steve Kerr stormed out of his pre game press conference because of the tragedy that took place in Uvalde Texas, the Warriors fell to the Mavericks in game four of the series 119-109.

Kerr has made pleas like this before on gun violence and is an outspoken figure politically. Kerr’s comments reflected those of a nation in shock once again over a tragedy that could have been prevented by common-sense gun legislation.

“I’m tired. I am so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there. I am so tired of the, excuse, I am sorry, I am tired for the moments of silence. Enough!” Kerr said via a quote obtained by ESPN.

Kerr and the Warriors will take on Dallas in game 5 on Thursday.