FEATURE: Chiasson showing flash

EDMONTON, AB - Alex Chiasson is about to see a lot more ice.
Not only due to his stellar play after scoring twice against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Tuesday's 6-5 overtime loss, but also because the winger will receive his Stanley Cup ring on Thursday prior to Edmonton's meeting with the championship-winning Washington Capitals.

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Already shining from his two-goal performance, Chiasson was asked about the anticipation of receiving his new piece of jewelry on Wednesday.
"I think Jay Beagle got his in Vancouver a couple days ago and the (Washington Capitals) team services guy, Rob Tillotson, texted me and he's going to have the ring with him tomorrow morning," the Oiler said with his hood up to hide the ear injury he sustained versus the Pens.
"I'm looking forward to that."
The depth winger has waited patiently for his opportunity with the club this year, making quite the impression in his second game. The 2009 second-rounder couldn't find his way into the lineup for the opening five matches of the season, but following Tuesday's performance, it'd be hard to leave him out.
He wasn't wearing his soon-to-come Cup ring at the time, but Chiasson was ice cold to Daniel Sprong in the offensive zone corner on his first goal of two. The forward dug his shoulder into the opposition, curled up the right circle and flung the puck at goaltender Matt Murray. The Montreal, QC, native tracked his own rebound, catching the fluttering puck with his hand, placing it on the ice and sniping it in one swift motion as he fell to the ground.
"I was actually trying to hit Kass off the shot," the veteran of seven NHL seasons admitted. "I think the replay looked a lot nice than how it felt on the ice."

That dominating sequence prompted Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan to promote the forward to the second line alongside Tobias Rieder and Leon Draisaitl, who helped the forward notch his second gem of the evening.
Still feeling flashy after his first, Chiasson picked up an outlet pass from Adam Larsson as he was entering the Penguins' zone then dropped it for Rieder once inside. The two forwards gained some separation from Pittsburgh's defence, who was a second behind the play when Rieder dished the rock right back to Chiasson to mark his first two-goal game since Dec. 14, 2017.
Chiasson's night almost ended with a hat trick after hitting the post in the third, but a clearing attempt by the Penguins, unfortunately, caught the Oiler in the ear, forcing him out of play.

"I had a feeling that line would be together for the rest of the game," Chiasson said. "I thought I could get opportunities to get another one. It was kind of a bummer to be in the doctor's office for a half an hour."
Chiasson put his career into perspective on Wednesday, noting the path he's travelled in order to receive each fortunate outcome he has in his career. Following his three-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars, the Oilers summer signee hasn't inked a deal with term longer than one year in his career.
"This is my seventh year and the last couple years I've been on one-year deals," Chiasson said. "It's one thing to make it to the NHL, but sometimes for some players, it's a lot of hard work to stay in it. It's a privilege to play in the NHL and I take pride in the work I do on and off the ice."

Whenever Chiasson's struggled, he recalls his time spent with the Stanley Cup, which he shared with friends and family in Quebec.
"It's a lot of emotion," he said. "Sometimes, looking back, if I have a bad day, I try to pull up some pictures of my Stanley Cup day. Those are awesome memories."
The hope is to create more in Oilers silks. Chiasson's done a good job of giving his coach a reason to ensure he's in the lineup going forward.
"No, we don't have a lot of guys with Stanley Cup rings," said McLellan. "I don't think it's a prerequisite to win one. It's nice to have that experience, though and Chiasser is all business when he's at the rink... He's had some real strong years, he's had some off years but he's all business when he comes. It's a real positive sign for us to see him contribute the way he did yesterday."
In the lineup or out, for now, Chiasson can find some light in his last performance.
Or from the reflection of his finger's new showpiece.