Ahead of Game 1 between the Sharks and Oilers, commotion in the Oilers locker room is rising.
The players have endured a long 82-game regular season and are ready to begin the journey that is the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"There's excitement," said defenceman Andrej Sekera, who finished the season with eight goals and 35 points. "Guys are hungry for playoffs and some of them haven't experienced it but I think we've played playoff hockey the last couple of games."
As a team, Edmonton is not looking to deviate from what garnered them success during the regular season.
"It only gets tougher and tougher from now on and I think we'll be fine," Sekera said. "Guys will use that hunger and they will do a great job as they were doing all season long."
The health of the Sharks remains up in the air given the unknown statuses of Logan Couture and Joe Thornton. Sekera noted that the Oilers are not worried about their opponent's injuries.
"Injuries are part of hockey. They have a good team, a good four lines and if they play the right way, no matter who you have in the lineup, you give yourself a chance to win. We don't look at it as an advantage."
In goal, workhorses Cam Talbot and Martin Jones will duel. Talbot played 73 games this season while his counterpart played 65.
"It will be a good matchup," said Sekera. "Two younger goalies who are really good for both of their teams and the reason why their teams are where they are.
"It will be nice to see."
BLOG: Excitement growing in Oilers locker room
Players are hungry for playoffs as excitement increases
