Photo credit: globalnews.ca
Corey Perry, nearing his 40th birthday, remains a pivotal figure in NHL playoffs.
A player who has earned admiration from teammates and disdain from rivals throughout his 21-season career showcased his tenacious style during Sunday’s thrilling 4-3 overtime victory by the Edmonton Oilers over the Los Angeles Kings.
This win allowed the Oilers to even the series at 2-2, setting the stage for an essential Game 5 in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Perry’s impressive total of 219 career playoff games places him 12th in NHL history. Should he remain healthy, he is on track to play in at least 221 games, potentially tying for 10th place alongside Brian Trottier.
“There’s no better time to play than in April, May, and June,” Perry stated. “It’s exhilarating. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“I’ve been fortunate to have deep playoff runs with great teams, and that’s why we play the game.”
Trailing 2-0 on Sunday, Perry made a crucial impact by scoring at 4:11 in the second period, bringing the Oilers within one goal.
This reflected Perry’s signature playing style. He disrupted goaltender Darcy Kuemper’s focus and deftly backhanded his own rebound into the net, a hallmark of his gritty approach to the game.
Perry has built a reputation for getting under the skin of opponents and challenging officials near the opposing crease, all while creating opportunities for himself and his teammates.
“In the playoffs, every moment intensifies, and if you lose those small battles, it can swing the momentum,” Perry remarked. “I take pride in that; it’s how I’ve always played.”
He showed no signs of letting up even after a collision with Kuemper in the second period, remaining a persistent threat in front of the net as Leon Draisaitl netted the decisive overtime goal.
After being knocked down by Kings defenceman Drew Doughty, Perry quickly scrambled to retrieve the puck, ultimately allowing Draisaitl to score.
“At nearly 40, he impacts every game,” Draisaitl commented.
“He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever encountered,” Draisaitl continued. “His unique understanding of the game suggests he could keep playing until he’s 50. His brain is amazing, though we’ll see if his body can keep up. He just knows how to play.”
“Perry anticipates the flow of the game before it unfolds, positioning himself to be effective. What often goes unnoticed is how he creates opportunities for others. He consistently sets up Connor (McDavid) and me, drawing attention due to his established reputation and current performance.”
Perry, hailing from Peterborough, Ontario, is a two-time Olympic gold medallist (2010, 2014) and a Stanley Cup champion with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
His tally of 56 playoff goals ties him for 44th all-time, while his 130 playoff points ranks 49th.
“He’s consistently getting it done,” noted Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
“He remains relentless. Winning battles, he once again made his presence felt in front during overtime. His skills, coupled with his intelligence on the ice, are commendable. It’s hard to say enough good things about him.”
Perry’s regular-season output of 19 goals marked his highest since achieving the same number with Tampa Bay in 2022.
“He might get upset with me for saying he has surpassed expectations,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said. “Scoring 19 goals while mostly playing on the fourth line with limited power-play time was impressive for a player of his caliber. He has continued to improve as the playoffs advance.”
Source
globalnews.ca