It’s hard to walk a tightrope with skates on.
With six games in the final nine days of the season and then maybe two days before the first round playoff series begins, the Edmonton Oilers biggest priority is staying healthy and conserving energy.
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But their other biggest priorities are to maintain forward momentum and win as many games as possible in order to possibly finish first in the Pacific and guarantee home ice advantage through the first two, and maybe even three, rounds of the playoffs.
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It’s not easy doing both at the same time, but that’s the fine line the Oilers are being asked to walk — don’t burn themselves out or get hurt but try to win as many games as possible in this nine-day test.
So far they’re 1-0-1 after the Arizona, soon to be Utah, Coyotes relocated Edmonton into the loss column Friday night at Rogers Place.
Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard kept his team in the fight long enough to come back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits, but there would be no rebounding from a Matias Maccelli overtime winner.
“These games can kind of, at times, go under the radar as everybody talks about tomorrow (against Vancouver),” said Oilers forward Adam Henrique.
“I thought we did a good job of focusing on what we needed to do, but we didn’t have the best start. We battled and had opportunities, but we couldn’t find a way to get that next one to give us that extra momentum.”
This might have been one of those human nature traps — after beating Vegas last game and with Vancouver here for a major showdown on Saturday, it was easy for the Oilers to look past the 26th place team in the league.
“That’s a possibility,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch. “Last weekend we were coming off a great game against Colorado and went into Calgary the next night and it wasn’t nearly as well played as the previous night.
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“This time around the situation is reversed, with the big game the second one and the first one is just another game.”
The scheduling circumstances aren’t ideal on a lot of fronts, that’s for certain. The Oilers had games in hand on everyone all year long and have still played the fewest games in the league. For some reason the NHL wants them to make it all up in the last week.
“I don’t know why we’re playing five in seven to finish, but I guess that’s the way it worked out,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
“It’s definitely a lot right before the playoffs, but to this point you’ve already played 77 games so you’re in shape and can handle it. We’re still looking to improve our game and push for points. You don’t hold anything back, you want to push as much as you can.”
That’s the way Connor McDavid sees it. He sat out Friday’s game to heal his lower body injury but if it wasn’t for that he’s all for pushing through the finish line.
“We still have lots to play for down the stretch,” said the Oilers captain. “There is seeding and positioning, all while maintaining a healthy group. You want to be pedal to the metal, foot on the gas, all the way to the end and into Game 1.
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“I’m not really a big believer in resting guys. That being said, six games in nine days is a lot. If we rest guys that’s just the circumstances we’re in.”
Knoblauch is in charge of the work rotation and understands that while rest and recovery are valuable weapons at this time of year, shifting into neutral can be a risky strategy. Once a team loses momentum it can be a game or two before they get it back, and in a seven game series, one or two games is what separates the winner and the loser.
“If (staying healthy) was the only goal we’d be sitting everybody out,” he said. “Then you’re not playing your game and you’re getting into bad habits. We still have to go out and play some hockey.
“We will want to manage minutes and won’t be running guys into the ground. Hopefully they are fresh and feeling energized for the playoffs, but we want to win as many games as we can to finish out the regular season.”
Where is their game? Being 6-1-2 in their last nine, with wins over Colorado and Vegas suggests it’s in a good place, but there have been just enough hiccups, like Friday night, to keep them honest.
“It’s the NHL, everybody is still playing for something no matter where you’re at in the standings,” said Evander Kane. “A young team like that, they want to test themselves against a quality team like us going into the post-season and we knew that.
“It was a game where we controlled the second and third period but couldn’t find a way to put a few more past them.”
E-mail: rtychkowski@postmedia.com
E-mail: rtychkowski@postmedia.com
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CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
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