Oilers' Keith turns back the clock to help Edmonton even Battle of Alberta
Duncan Keith had been here before.
Well, maybe not right here - breaking down a wild 9-6 loss to open the Oilers' second-round playoff series against their bitter provincial rival - but the veteran defenceman's eyes have witnessed pretty much everything imaginable over his 17 NHL seasons.
The morning of Game 2, and with his team already wobbling against a physical, grinding opponent, Keith cut a calm figure at the microphone deep in the bowels of Scotiabank Saddledome.
“We've got a fairly good understanding that it's one game, it's early in the series,” said the 38-year-old.
“But we need to have a response.”
Keith was a huge part of Edmonton's solution against Calgary's relentless, high-pressure forecheck on Friday night. He also chipped in with a goal and two assists as the Oilers rebounded from another early deficit to down the Flames 5-3 and even the first post-season Battle of Alberta in 31 years 1-1.
The virtuoso showing represented the Winnipeg native's first three-point playoff performance since May 2015 when he was in the process of winning a third Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Keith, in no uncertain terms, wound the clock back in Game 2.
“Just unfazed,” Oilers winger Zach Hyman said. “Somebody's who's seen it all, has done it all.”
“Such a veteran presence back there, such a big voice in the room,” added Edmonton captain Connor McDavid, the beneficiary of a slick Keith feed to spark the comeback while down 3-1 in the second period. “He's been great for us.”
The move to acquire Keith and his US$5.5-million salary cap hit by Oilers general manager Ken Holland last summer was, however, widely panned following the trade with Chicago.
Critics pointed out the 2015 Conn Smythe Trophy winner was past his prime, and that taking on the full wage bill was an unnecessary move for a team pressed perilously tight to the cap.
Keith had one goal and 20 assists over 64 regular-season games in 2021-22, but Edmonton interim head coach Jay Woodcroft said the blue-liner's value can't simply be measured on the stat sheet.
Game 2 showed why.
“His presence comes through in big moments,” he said. “Sometimes it's something as simple as going by the bench during a TV timeout and just saying, 'Hey, we got this. Take a deep breath and we're good to go here.'
“Sometimes it's making the big play at the right moment.”
One of those came in Friday's first period when he took a one-handed McDavid offering and fired his first playoff goal since 2016 past Jacob Markstrom. Another arrived in the second with the teams playing four-on-four when he feathered that pass to a streaking McDavid, setting the table for another audacious highlight-reel finish by the superstar centre.
Keith then assisted on Evan Bouchard's power-play blast that tied it at three before the Oilers scored twice in the third to head home all even with Game 3 set for Sunday at Rogers Place.
But his cool, under-the-radar approach to the defensive zone was equally important after the Flames had their way with the Oilers for long stretches of a Game 1 that saw Calgary build leads of 3-0, 5-1 and 6-2. Edmonton broke the puck out much better Friday, with Keith playing a big role in relieving pressure with a smart, measured approach.
“I can't say enough about Duncs,” Woodcroft said. “His resume is Hall of Fame-worthy. He'll be there one day, but in terms of his ability to pass on his experiences to our group, can't say enough.”
Hyman said apart from the contributions between whistles, Keith was tabbed to help with the nerves of a talented group that's stumbled under past bright lights, including a stunning first-round sweep last spring at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets.
“He's a guy that was brought in to calm the group in times when things aren't going well,” Hyman said. “A big voice in that locker room at settling us down.
“He's got a lot to give.”
Both on and off the ice.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.