When the Edmonton Oilers visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, the winner might be the team that gets off to a quicker start.

Both teams have found themselves needing to overcome slow first periods that force them to play from behind late. That, of course, is a slippery slope, as the Edmonton and Philadelphia players and coaches know all too well.

In the Oilers' most recent game, they trailed the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 in the first period, 3-1 after two periods and 4-2 with less than seven minutes left in regulation. Two goals from Connor McDavid and a late short-handed tally by Jake Walman helped Edmonton tie the score before Jack Roslovic won it on a breakaway in overtime.

"The group likes to put itself in a tough spot and just when you think it's a tough spot, we go a little

See Full Page