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Keep an eye on Oilers’ Slepyshev (the Ducks certainly should)

Edmonton Oilers v Anaheim Ducks - Game One

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 26: Ryan Getzlaf #15 and Nick Ritchie #37 of the Anaheim Ducks battle Anton Slepyshev #42 of the Edmonton Oilers for a loose puck in the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 26, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

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The breaks and breakaways frequently went the Edmonton Oilers’ way as they eliminated the San Jose Sharks in Game 6 of their first-round series. Those results have been more of a mixed bag for Edmonton against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 tonight, though.

Anton Slepyshev is a great example of those ups and downs.

In Game 6 against the Sharks, Slepyshev used his speed to score a breakaway tally that ended up being the game-winner. (See here for those friendly breakaways.)

Slepyshev’s been burning the Ducks with his speed on Wednesday, but the Oilers have been burned in the process. For one thing, John Gibson turned aside this big chance shortly after Ryan Getzlaf gave Anaheim a 1-0 lead:

Later on in that same second period, Slepyshev got a step on the Ducks defense again. This time, he didn’t just fail to score; he took a goalie interference penalty for bumping Gibson.

With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins being among those hitting posts, it might feel like it’s all against the Oilers this time around, but crossbars/posts - another theme from Edmonton’s Game 6 win vs. San Jose - have more or less balanced out.

And, one break really went Edmonton’s way: a Ducks defender broke his stick on the Oilers’ 5-on-3 opportunity, opening the door for a crucial Mark Letestu goal:

The end result is a 1-1 tie, but give the Oilers credit for not getting rattled. If Slepyshev can keep up his efforts, his speed could be a factor in a series that looks like it could be a real tug-o-war.