BLOG: Chiasson hopeful of Oilers opportunity at playoffs

EDMONTON, AB - Alex Chiasson has been a part of the winning formula before.
He reaped the spoils with the Washington Capitals in 2018, winning a Stanley Cup before turning a professional tryout with the Edmonton Oilers later that year into a one-year contract.
When faced with the opportunity to extend his stay in Oil Country this past July 1, the comparisons he could draw between the Oilers and his former championship-winning side contributed to the Montreal, Quebec product signing on the dotted line.
"That was one of the reasons for me that I wanted to come back here last year, because there's a lot of things I saw in this group that I saw when I played in Washington," he said via video conference call Wednesday.
Forwards Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and defenceman John Carlson stockpiled experience for the big games with Washington before earning their first Cup, and a young Oilers core that features Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Oscar Klefbom is going through the same motions learning what it takes to win in order grow their team into a contender.
"I think our young core players have really taken that to the next level. They've taken good charge of our team," Chiasson said. "We've added a few guys that are really good on the ice and provide a different type of personality in the locker room.
"There's a lot of that stuff that seems really unnoticed on the ice, but really what goes on off the ice is a big factor in championship teams."

The Capitals had an influx of talent, young and experienced, to fill roles around their core players in a similar fashion to how Ethan Bear knocked on the door of opportunity as a rookie this season and Josh Archibald found a home at 5-on-4 as a new recruit.
All of which contributed to an Oilers team capable of assembling a 37-25-9 record for second spot in the Pacific Division prior to the season's postponement on March 12.
"We've made some great steps this year, we've battled hard, we've had a few injuries, and we've had guys step up and play well," Chiasson said. "I thought our team was prepared to go in the playoffs and be a good playoff team."
The Oilers incorporated new players into new systems put in place by the arrival of Head Coach Dave Tippett, riding the ups and downs of the season for the first half of their schedule before the team hit a groove in the new year.
They've scored first regularly, hold a record over .500 in one-goal games, and have managed to go 7-4-3 in contests tied after 40 minutes.
"The biggest thing I think we've learned as a team is we were able to play in tight matches - whether we were up one or down a goal or two," Chiasson said. "We as a team found a way to be capable of playing in those games, and at least for me, I think that's a good indication of a team that's going in the right direction."
Teams compete over the entire 82-game schedule for a chance at winning 16 games in the playoffs and a Stanley Cup.
The Oilers, to Chiasson, are prepared for that opportunity.
"I hope at least from my point of view, I hope our team gets a chance to go and play."