Whicker: Ducks cancel out early hiccup with primal scream, finally win a Game 7

Oilers center Drake Caggiula (36), left, scores past Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) in the first period during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ celebrate Drake Caggiula’s goal on Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender John Gibson as Shea Theodore skates by during the first period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Oilers team celebrate center Drake Caggiula (36)’s goal during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Ducks at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf knocks down the Edmonton Oilers’ Milan Lucic during the first period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Oilers team celebrate center Drake Caggiula (36)’s goal during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Ducks at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Eric Gryba stands over the Anaheim Ducks’ Hampus Lindholm after knocking him to the ground in front of goaltender Cam Talbot during the first period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Oilers fans celebrate Drake Caggiula’s goal during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Ducks at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ Cam Talbot makes a save in front of the Anaheim Ducks’ Andrew Cogliano during the first period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) blocks a shot during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Kesler skates to the bench in disbelief after a Ducks goal was called back for offsides during the first period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67) looks for the puck as Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) loses track of the puck during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Inland Cadets present the colors before Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33), right, blocks a shot during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Ducks at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Inland Cadets present the colors before Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15), left, and Oilers left wing Anton Slepyshev (42) battle for the puck by the board during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Inland Cadets present the colors before Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks right wing Jared Boll (40) body checks Oilers defenseman Eric Gryba (62) into the bench during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Andrew Cogliano scores on Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender Cam Talbot during the second period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45), top, hooks Oilers center David Desharnais (13) for a penalty during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender John Gibson looks at the puck after making a stop against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7), back, celebrates his goal in the second period during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
An Anaheim Ducks fan shows his support behind goaltender John Gibson after Andrew Cogliano’s goal during the second period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) celebrates his goal during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender John Gibson looks makes a stop against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks’ John Gibson makes save on the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid during the third period of the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Andrew Cogliano scores on Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender Cam Talbot during the second period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) celebrates his goal during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67), right, looks for the puck during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Nick Ritchie celebrates his third period goal on Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender Cam Talbot with teammate Sami Vatanen during the Ducks’ 2-1 victory in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Antoine Vermette (50) falls on top of Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks celebrate Nick Ritchie’s third period goal on Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender Cam Talbot during the Ducks’ 2-1 victory in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) blocks a shot by Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie (37) during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Jakob Silfverberg, Josh Manson, John Gibson and Ryan Kesler celebrate as the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, Patrick Maroon and Milan Lucic head to the bench after the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks right wing Chris Wagner (21), right, body checks Oilers defenseman Eric Gryba (62) during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry shake hands as they celebrate after the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17), right, and Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) battle for the puck during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Rickard Rakell is checked by the Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse during the third period of the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Chris Wagner just misses a goal on Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender Cam Talbot during the third period of the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks team celebrate after defeating the Oilers in the game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Antoine Vermette looks on as Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender Cam Talbot makes a save in front of defenseman Adam Larsson during the third period of the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie (37), top, celebrates his goal in the third period with defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Antoine Vermette shakes hands with the Edmonton Oilers’ Oscar Klefbom after the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10), right, congratulates left wing Nick Ritchie (37)’s goal in the third period during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle walks to the bench as the Ducks celebrate on the ice after their 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67), left, body checks Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson (6) during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ salute the crowd after their 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45), left, blocks a shot during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks right wing Chris Wagner (21), left, shoots past Oilers defenseman Kris Russell (4) during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) makes a save during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks right wing Ondrej Kase (86), left, body checks Oilers defenseman Eric Gryba (62) during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks fans cheer for the team during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks defenseman Josh Manson (42), right, defends Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle yells instructions to his players during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson (6), left, and Ducks center Antoine Vermette (50) battle for the puck in front of goalie Cam Talbot (33) during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17), front, body checks Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) during game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks team celebrate after defeating the Oilers in the game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15), left, and Oilers left wing Patrick Maroon (19) talks after the game 7 of second-round playoff series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks bench celebrate Nick Ritchie’s goal in the third period during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Edmonton Oilers’ celebrate Drake Caggiula’s goal on Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender John Gibson as Shea Theodore skates by during the first period in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie (37), right, celebrates his goal in the third period during game 7 of second-round playoff series against the Oilers at Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks fans celebrate during the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks’ fans celebrate after Andrew Cogliano’s goal in the second period during the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Oilers in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Oscar Klefbom #77 of the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Matthew Benning #83 of the Edmonton Oilers battles for the puck against Andrew Cogliano #7 of the Anaheim Ducks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Oscar Klefbom #77 of the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Drake Caggiula #36 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates scoring a goal against goaltender John Gibson #36 and Shea Theodore #53 of the Anaheim Ducks with Patrick Maroon #19 and Connor McDavid #97 in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Matthew Benning #83 of the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Goaltender Cam Talbot #33 of the Edmonton Oilers and Matthew Benning #83 defend against Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Goaltender Cam Talbot #33 of the Edmonton Oilers looks on against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Jared Boll #40 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Kris Russell #4 of the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Josh Manson #42 of the Anaheim Ducks checks Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Andrew Cogliano #7 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Goaltender John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks defends against Milan Lucic #27 of the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against Hampus Lindholm #47 of the Anaheim Ducks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Matthew Benning #83 of the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Oscar Klefbom #77 of the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Goaltender John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Goaltender John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks looks on against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Zack Kassian #44 of the Edmonton Oilers skates between Nate Thompson #44 and Ondrej Kase #86 of the Anaheim Ducks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: The Anaheim Ducks react after their 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Jordan Eberle #14 of the Edmonton Oilers leaps against the glass against Ondrej Kase #86 of the Anaheim Ducks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks checks Drake Caggiula #36 of the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Goaltender Cam Talbot #33 and Adam Larsson #6 of the Edmonton Oilers defend against Antoine Vermette #50 of the Anaheim Ducks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 10: Goaltender John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks defends against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano celebrates after scoring during the second period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA109
Edmonton Oilers center Drake Caggiula (36) scores past Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, right, and defenseman Shea Theodore during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA101
Edmonton Oilers center Drake Caggiula, second from left, celebrates with Patrick Maroon, left, and Connor McDavid after scoring past Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, right, during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA102
Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, left, blocks a shot by Edmonton Oilers right wing Zack Kassian during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA107
Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, right, blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA105
Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, right, blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA106
Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, right, blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA104
Edmonton Oilers center David Desharnais, right, fails to get a shot on Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson left, and defenseman Sami Vatanen during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA103
Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano, left, scores past Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, right, and Oilers’ Darnell Nurse during the second period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA115
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Oscar Klefbom, left, checks Anaheim Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie during the second period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA112
Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano celebrates after scoring during the second period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA111
Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano, right, scores past Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot during the second period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA110
Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano, left, celebrates after scoring past Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot during the second period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA116
The Anaheim Ducks celebrate a 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA120
The Anaheim Ducks celebrate s 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA121
Players on the Anaheim Ducks’ bench start to celebrate the team’s 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA122
Anaheim Ducks left wing Nick Ritchien scores past Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot during the third period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. The Ducks won 2-1. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA123
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid reacts after the Oilers’ 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA124
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl reacts after the team’s 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA126
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid leaves the ice after the Oilers’ 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA119
Edmonton Oilers left wing Patrick Maroon, middle watches during final second of the Oilers’ 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA127
Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, left, blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie during the second period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA108
Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, left, blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie during the second period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA114
Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, left, blocks a shot by Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid during the second period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA117
Anaheim Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie celebrates after scoring during the third period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: ANA118

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ANAHEIM — The Ducks’ annual Game 7 colonoscopy began with the most bitter taste of all.

Shea Theodore recovered a puck behind John Gibson’s net, after Edmonton’s Patrick Maroon checked it loose from Ryan Kesler. He skated out and in front of Gibson.

Suddenly the puck was acting if it knew the time and date and context of this whole night. It skittered away from the Ducks’ rookie defenseman and, with the Oilers’ Drake Cagguila helping, ducked through Gibson’s pads and into the net.

Three minutes and 31 seconds had elapsed. The many Edmonton fans at Honda Center continued to sound their party rock anthem. The Ducks fans, especially those who sat through the four previous Game 7 losses, were mildly nauseous, to coin a phrase.

With nearly 56 and a half minutes left, what indignities would remain?

“A crappy goal, to be honest,” Andrew Cogliano said. “But we didn’t panic.”

A couple of hours and several quarts of sweat later, Theodore had a chance to stand in front of Gibson, and this time he ended an Edmonton possession.

A while after that, Josh Manson had the puck in the very same position, with the clock disappearing and deliverance on his stick.

The Ducks had earned a series-clinching 2-1 win that leaves Edmonton and a whole wheelbarrow of emotional debris behind.

They play Nashville in the Western Conference finals, with Game 1 here Friday. We’ll see if they skate even harder, without the weight.

“All those other games, we let it get away from us after something bad happened,” Cogliano said. “Tonight we stuck to the game plan. We kept clamping down defensively. We figured if we kept doing that, something would open up for us. We kept pushing.

“The gaps were good, we didn’t give them much in the neutral zone, we didn’t even give them many chances in the third period. It’s great to win, but it’s also great to win a tight game like that.”

The second and third periods comprised the best 40 minutes the Ducks have played in the postseason, maybe in a couple of postseasons. Ryan Kesler’s bloodhounding appeared to weigh heavily on Connor McDavid, who had one shot on goal. Leon Draisaitl had only two, significant because he had checkmated the Ducks in the Oilers’ wins.

Randy Carlyle moved Nick Ritchie onto Ryan Getzlaf’s line to try to match muscle. “It wasn’t a genius move,” Carlyle said, because Ritchie had played there much of the season. But Ritchie is big and strong and, most important, not guilty by association.

When the Ducks were losing those Game 7s, Ritchie was playing for the Peterborough Petes, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and the San Diego Gulls. On Sami Vatanen’s pass, he fired the game-winner past Cam Talbot 3:21 into the third period, a goal-scorer’s goal into the far corner.

The other storyline that ruffled the Ducks, or at least their coach, was that the boy-band Oilers were going to use Anaheim as a stairstep on the way to heaven. Carlyle pointed out that the Ducks won four of the last five games in the series and managed to win after they lost their first two games at home.

“We felt a little disrespected,” Carlyle said. “I don’t think many teams in the league have the record we’ve had since Christmas. (29-11-7). We know Edmonton has some young players, but our organization has produced some good young players, too.”

“This is really something we’ve been building,” said Getzlaf, who turned 32 and is now 3-2 in NHL playoff games on his birthday. “In the beginning of the year we had the World Cup, we had a new coach, we had some guys who weren’t here (thanks to contract holdouts). We thought we might get off to a slow start. But the resiliency and the belief is something that reminds me a lot of that season (2007, when the Ducks won the Stanley Cup). We scored three goals in the last three minutes (in Game 5). That doesn’t happen by accident.”

Manson, who along with Hampus Lindholm made noticeable plays all night on the backline, talked of “keeping our foot on the gas throughout. We kept smothering them defensively, because we knew their rush was coming. That’s the way we need to play hockey to be successful.”

It also helped that the officials adopted benign neglect. The Ducks and OIlers had one power play apiece. Advantage, Ducks, primarily because they came into the game 2 for 22 with the man-advantage but also because it allowed Carlyle to keep his lines moving in sequence. Although the fourth line of Chris Wagner, Jared Boll and Nate Thompson played limited minutes, it made a difference, especially with Wagner firing a puck at Talbot’s mask and then nearly scoring on the rebound. Carlyle pointed to a second-period shift in which Wagner, Boll and Thompson were particularly rambunctious.

“I thought that was the turning point of the game,” he said. “Every other line, throughout that period, followed that up.”

Oilers coach Todd McLellan discussed the “bruises and bumps and ice bags” he saw in the postgame locker room on some “scrawny, bony-looking hockey players.”

McDavid, his 20-year-old captain, has a bountiful future, but in this series he scored five points in seven games and was only plus-1. He did average more than 25 minutes, but won only 35.2 percent of his faceoffs.

“He’s a great player, obviously,” Getzlaf said. “We tried our best to stop him. At times we might have paid too much attention to him and not enough to Draisaitl (13 points). But they’re an excellent team, well put-together.”

Three time zones away, the Washington Capitals sustained another Game 7 loss and are in for long months of media lashing — or, worse, emotional abandonment from their fans. Irrational cries to trade Alex Ovechkin have already resounded.

The Ducks claimed all along that the Game 7 talk was bouncing off their leathery skin. Their ecstatic reaction indicated how much they’d bled on the inside.

“We’ve been kicked to the curb a few times,” Cogliano said. “We’ve taken a lot of heat in this room, and rightfully so. It’s a bad feeling to end your years like that. We were ready to follow the leaders who’ve experienced it, because we were sick of it. We were ready to prove the doubters wrong.”

Easier when none of the doubters are in the room.

Whicker: Ducks cancel out early hiccup with primal scream, finally win a Game 7

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