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TSN Edmonton Bureau Reporter

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Some thoughts from TSN Edmonton reporter Ryan Rishaug ahead of Game 5 between the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks on Thursday night:

- Connor McDavid has played 58:17 at even strength in this series and has been held pointless in that time. About 68 per cent of that has been against the San Jose defensive duo of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Justin Braun. Oilers coach Todd McLellan has been able to limit that to around 62 per cent on home ice, but it’s closer to 75 per cent on the road. McLellan hasn't tried too aggressively yet to get McDavid away from the pairing. We’ll see if that changes back on home ice in Game 5.

- McDavid went four games without an even-strength point just once this season (Oct. 30 – Nov. 5), managing just one point over that stretch. He has two points in this series, both on special teams. During the regular season, 71 per cent of McDavid’s points came at even strength.

- Leon Draisaitl isn’t right. Not sure if it's illness or injury, but he looked sluggish in Game 4. He didn’t take part in the team’s optional skates on Monday or Tuesday and hasn't done any media lately. He has one shot and zero points in four games. Draisaitl is clearly getting frustrated by the lack of production, but if he's playing, I'd expect him back on Connor McDavid’s wing next game.

- The Oilers had a hard time establishing a forecheck in Game 4 and weren't able to create many turnovers in the offensive zone. The San Jose defenders were able to break the puck out with ease. Perhaps adding Jujhar Khaira, a good skater who can play with a physical edge, to the lineup could help. David Desharnais has struggled and would be a prime candidate to come out. Khaira has barely played in the last four weeks, but he might have something to contribute if given a chance Matt Hendricks would be the other option if Desharnais is replaced.

- The Sharks wanted to do a better job of using their points to start the offence in the Oiler end, and they did in Game 4. Several goals were generated by Shark players winning puck battles, feeding the points and making a beeline for the net. 

- The Sharks were also much better in the faceoff circle, winning several draws that led directly to goals. McDavid lost a draw to Joe Pavelski that led to the game’s first goal 15 seconds in. If Draisaitl had been on that line, he would have taken the defensive zone draw. Alternatively, McLellan could have put out Mark Letestu to take the faceoff. Instead he elected to have McDavid line up. The Oilers captain is going to have to improve this area of his game, and that lost draw will motivate him this summer.

- The Oilers have been a good bounce-back team all season. Seldom do they put consecutive ugly games together. Early this season, after a stinker against Buffalo, McLellan caused some controversy by asking the players to move a scheduled day off so they could meet. McLellan felt it was critical to send a message early that poor play was no longer acceptable. Since that time, the Oilers seem to have become a more resilient group. That theory will be tested in Game 5.