The Edmonton Oilers staved off elimination with a 4-1 victory in Game 5 over the Anaheim Ducks, but it was far from a perfect game.

The first chance to close their playoff series was a bust for the Anaheim Ducks. The second opportunity will be Thursday on home ice when they play host to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round series.

The journey back from a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-7 series against the Anaheim Ducks started with a strong first period for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round.  That led into a convincing 4-1 win here at Rogers Place on Tuesday,

The Edmonton Oilers sure are happy that the Vancouver Canucks gave up on Vasily Podkolzin, who has been a playoff hero lately.

After trailing 3-0 in the first period in Game 5, the Ducks must respond early Thursday at Honda Center in hopes of avoiding a Game 7 north of the border.

The two-time reigning Western Conference champions got up off the mat on Tuesday night. Facing the possibility of an embarrassing, five-game elimination

Edmonton’s Game 5 win did more than extend the series. It reset the mood. Connor McDavid delivered when needed, even if not at full dominance, while the team showed improved structure and control. His postgame comments reflected realism rather than hype,