They are alive and headed for the Western Conference finals against the Nashville Predators thanks to a skillful snipe by a brawny winger with a battered nose, and to the clever adjustments made by a coach who was rehired last summer for his ability to make the kinds of crucial maneuvers he pulled off on Wednesday.
Their four-season streak of Game 7 misfortune on Honda Center ice ended Wednesday with a nail-biting, seesawing 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. “It’s just a phenomenal feeling,” said left wing Andrew Cogliano, who brought them even at 8 minutes 55 seconds of the second period and promptly let out a primal scream that vented years of frustration.