For the second year in a row, the Edmonton Oilers stood in the way of the Los Angeles Kings in the playoffs. The whole thing, of course, leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of Quebecer Phillip Danault and his teammates.
The California team’s end-of-season report on Tuesday focused heavily on the Oilers. For the Kings, this team becomes more than an opponent, but a goal to achieve.
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“Everyone is angry and unhappy about what happened,” Danault admitted at a news conference. We want to win. We’re not here to play “casual” hockey. You play 82 games, it’s tough on the body and you make the playoffs only to lose in the first round; it’s not much fun.”
The center player had the tough task of monitoring Connor McDavid throughout the six games, as he had done the previous year. The defensive strategist is stepping up his game in the playoffs and previously proved it with the Montreal Canadiens.
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“Last year I felt like I was following McDavid like his shadow, but this year I did it differently. It was more fun and more efficient to enforce our game, to hold the puck more often. […] Even though it ended at six, that’s why I felt better,” said Danault.
Individually, the 30-year-old athlete can say: mission accomplished. He had five points and held McDavid to a lone goal five-for-five. The Oilers’ point guard was the most used forward in the first round, with an average ice time of 25:10.
A good frustration
Captain Anze Kopitar said the Kings won’t try to change things after that defeat against Edmonton. A few adjustments are needed, but the Slovenian believes his team has what it takes to beat the Oilers.
“Last year we were lucky to reach [les séries] and this year we should participate. We are definitely not satisfied with this exit in the first round. Like I said after this year the boys are pissed off, that’s a good thing,” he said.
The same goes for veteran defenseman Drew Doughty, who is hoping for a reunion with his Alberta rival.
“I want to play against Edmonton again. We made some adjustments and were the better team for [le match numéro 6]. I would love to play Edmonton again. The rivalry grows and grows, and this is the kind of confrontation we love. All I’m thinking about this summer is the Edmonton Oilers, losing to them and getting another chance.”