Larsson leads Oilers past Ducks 5-3 in wild series opener

Jakob Silfverberg scored twice to lead the Anaheim Ducks to a 6-3 victory over Edmonton on Sunday night, cutting the Oilers' series lead to 2-1.

A puck shot by St. Louis Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko, of Russian Federation, slips past Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, of Finland, for a goal during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series Friday, April 28, 2017, in St. Louis. The Oilers netminder made 39 saves to lead his team to a 2-1 victory over the Ducks. "There's going to be ups and downs through every playoff game, every series and it's about controlling our emotions and using it to our advantage". The fast start after a sluggish first two games was much needed-mostly because it didn't last all too long.

"Well, I'd be a liar if I said it wasn't", he shrugged, when called out on it by a reporter. "I made some big saves early".

While Draisaitl was a constant point-producer this season, the Oilers got an additional boost from an unexpected source in Game 1.

His night soon got worse with Getzlaf making it 3-0 with a wrist shot at 11 minutes 51 seconds of the first period. We weren't winning board battles in the first period. "And away we went from there", Getzlaf said.

Game 3 is Sunday in Edmonton.

Cam Talbot really wanted to make an impact on the game.

It is a toughness and resilience that will be put to a stern test in Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks as the Oilers try to regain their balance in a series that, even though they're leading 2-1, seems to be tipping the other way. "We learned a lot during the last series, and we carried it over to this series".

Still, I can't see Anaheim falling down 3-0 in this series so I have to take the road underdogs in this one. "And like I tell him all the time, goalies are supposed to stop the puck". Edmonton has been rather lenient with the Ducks' offence and they were lethal in this one.

Penguins chase Holtby, beat Capitals to take 2-0 series lead
They were relentless, they were drawing penalties, they earned a standing ovation from Capitals fans without even scoring a goal. Kunitz appeared in his 107th playoff game, tying Hall of Famer/co-owner Mario Lemieux for fifth on the Penguins' career list.

Tait will also send a case of craft beer from Anaheim Brewery for Iveson to enjoy.

In the second period, anyway.

Russell's shot from the point deflected off Ryan-Nugent Hopkins and Maroon and by Gibson with 40 seconds remaining.

"We have a little adversity here.It's going to test our character."

After skating freely into the slot and converting a pass from Draisaitl with 11:57 left, he added the victor seven minutes later when he skated behind the net and cleverly threw it in front. "It's just my job to get it on net and hopefully get it by the goalie". The Ducks also killed off two penalties.

The Oilers scored an early goal off yet another bounce to start the second period.

Anaheim gradually turned the period in its favor, but couldn't score.

Ten years of training in the fine art of defeat has taught them everything they need to know about being on the wrong end of the score. There was no lifeline to Laurent Brossoit this time and Talbot took the brunt of the beating, stopping only 22 of 28 shots. "Leon [Draisaitl] and Pat [Maroon] especially - I've played with those guys all year long". We're comfortable in this position, and we understand that they've been here before and have played in these games. Thanks to great plays by David Desharnais and Connor McDavid, the Oilers found themselves tied 3-3 in the second.

Left wing Nick Ritchie was scratched after taking the pregame warmup before Game 2 because of flu-like symptoms. Jared Boll replaced him, appearing in the fourth playoff game of his 10-year National Hockey League career.