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Ducks vs. Oilers Game 1 Prediction

By David Austin Bumpus

January 25, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) plays for the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 25, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) plays for the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Connor McDavid and the Oilers are looking to make a run after defeating last year’s Western Conference champions. They now run into some dominant Ducks.

The Oilers have emerged as a team that many would like to see make a run in the Western Conference, with young star Connor McDavid leading the pack to a win over last year’s conference champions from San Jose.

However, the young guns find themselves in a tough second round matchup. They head to Anaheim to battle the Ducks, who cruised through the opening round against the Flames.

Led by Corey Perry, the Ducks went through it all in their series with Calgary. They experienced blowout wins, and even came back from a three-goal deficit in Game 3. Perry notched a +5 in that game alone for the Ducks, including their overtime winner, and leads a solid group of veterans, alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler, into this second round.

For the Oilers, McDavid will look to continue his postseason success as the leader of this well-rounded Edmonton team. The 20-year-old tallied two goals and two assists for the Oilers in six games against the Sharks, and helped lead the offense that averaged just two goals a game in the opening round. The team will need no mistakes from their young roster, which gave up seven goals in Game 4 on the road against the Sharks.

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Prediction: Ducks 3, Oilers 2

I picture this series having very similar storylines as Edmonton’s opening round with the Sharks. The Oilers provide a young, fast roster that again goes up against a lineup full of postseason-experienced players, and Edmonton will need to continue the trend of youth over wisdom to make a run. However, with Anaheim holding home-ice advantage, and riding momentum from their first-round sweep, I see them winning a close one to open the series on top.

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