EDMONTON — Fans will celebrate No Kings Day in Edmonton on Friday, and instead, the Oilers will draw their 2017 selves in a Round 1 series against the Anaheim Ducks.

It took four years and 82 games, but an Anaheim win in Nashville, and an Oilers romp over a tragic version of the Vancouver Canucks helped to avoid a fifth straight Round 1 series against the Los Angeles Kings.

“I like winning,” said defenceman Mattias Ekholm, when asked about the Kings. “But a change of scenery will be nice.”

Playing their best hockey of the season at the most important time, Edmonton flexed with a dominant 6-1 win, outshooting the Canucks 35-12. The Oilers scored just 1:58 in, and led by Connor McDavid’s four assists, they never allowed the Canucks even the slightest kernel of belief that they may have a chance to win.

“They came out ready to play and secured their spot in the playoffs on home ice,” said Vancouver defenceman Filip Hronek. “We were not ready for it.”

If there was ever any doubt about the Oilers’ ability to deliver a decisive victory on cue, they dispelled that notion with a 60-minute, wire-to-wire........

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