Even though the Edmonton Oilers had the top two points leaders in Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in the league when the NHL paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12 and would enter the play-in series at No. 5 in the Western Conference against the No. 12 Blackhawks, they know they could still have their work cut out for them against the Hawks.
On the latest Blackhawks Talk podcast, Sportsnet's Mark Spector discussed the pluses and minuses for the Oilers as they get ready to take on the Hawks under the NHL's 24-team playoff format to come out of the pause.
"The Hawks beat Edmonton two out of three times this season, which is notable. As you look at the Blackhawks as an opponent, they give up chances in a lot of categories more than any other team in the league: high-danger chances, scoring chances, a lot of shots against.
"So you're going to get your shots at the Blackhawks' net and usually some pretty good ones. In the playoffs, when goals get a little harder to get, you don't mind looking at an opponent that has a hard time keeping the puck out of their net, and I think that's not an unfair statement for Chicago.
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"What scares you are two things here: Patrick Kane is one of the best money players of our generation. If they can keep a game close and it's in the waning minutes and they need a goal, Patrick Kane's the guy. . . or in overtime he'll kill you. And Corey Crawford: one-hundred percent healthy, won a couple Stanley Cups. In a shorter series, this guy if he can't steal it from you, he can certainly play the role of keeping it close so the finishers on Chicago can get you late."
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