The Oilers Are Killing the Momentum Narrative

If you're a fan of predictability, comfort, and having a slight, general idea of what the hell is going to happen on a game-to-game basis, then the 2017 playoff version of the Edmonton Oilers probably isn't for you.

Just one game removed from one of the worst collapses in NHL postseason history in Game 5 in Anaheim, the seemingly down-and-out Oilers bounced back in the biggest way less than 48 hours later, crushing the Ducks 7-1 in Game 6 on Sunday night. After a giving up three goals in the final 3:16 of the third period and surrendering a Corey Perry goal in the second overtime to go down 3-2 in gut-wrenching fashion, Edmonton rebounded and exploded for five goals in the first period of Game 6, one shy of the franchise playoff record for most tallies in a period.

With the blowout victory, the Oilers have picked themselves off the mat and are now just one win away from advancing to the Western Conference finals. Despite going back to Anaheim for the deciding game, the team finds itself in an enviable position. The Ducks have been eliminated from each of the past four Stanley Cup Playoffs in Game 7s at home, and have only won two of nine Game 7s in club history—1997 against Phoenix and in 2006 in Calgary. The Ducks also had 3-2 series leads in each of the last four postseasons before losing Games 6 and 7 to be eliminated.

Not even through the second round yet, the young Oilers team has proved so far that momentum, the unquantifiable buzzword that gets tossed around most often this time of year, is not a thing. Last round against the Sharks, the Oilers suffered their most lopsided playoff defeat in over a decade, dropping Game 4 in San Jose 7-0. Two days later, Edmonton won Game 5 in overtime followed by a series-clinching Game 6 victory in San Jose.

In the contests immediately following two disastrous games—one a blowout loss to the Sharks and the other a devastating collapse in Anaheim—the Oilers have been on their game and nipped any carryover momentum in the bud. During Game 5 in round one and Game 6 in round two, Edmonton outscored its opponents 11-4 while averaging a 59.6 Corsi and a massive 183-122 edge in shot attempts. Needless to say, the Oilers have bounced back after a pair of devastating losses with two of their best games all season.

It's impossible to overlook the rebound performances of one emerging star in particular, as Leon Draisaitl has been off-the-charts god so far this postseason, especially in the two bounce-back games against the Sharks and Ducks. In Game 5 of round one, Draisaitl recorded two assists while driving the Oilers' possession game, winning 78.9 percent of his draws on the night. On Sunday, he became just the fifth player in Oilers history to record five points in a playoff game as he netted a hat trick to go along with two helpers.

The Oilers find themselves in a great spot now, becoming the fifth team in as many years to force Anaheim to seven games after being down 3-2. No matter what the Ducks' core players and coaching staff say publicly, recent history certainly has to be in their collective heads. The unpredictability of this Oilers team tells us that a series-clinching win in Game 7 is anything but a guarantee, though. As the chess match and adjustments continue from game-to-game, it's become increasingly impossible to have any idea what to expect from this team, and that's what makes them so fun to watch.

Momentum. What's that?