A consistent theme over the last couple of playoff runs for the Edmonton Oilers was their apparent lack of consistent goaltending. That’s why the team made a bold move to overhaul its goalie tandem this season.
The trade earlier this season that sent Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins seemed like a bit of a contract dump. The Oilers wanted to shake things up in order to give themselves the best possible chance of finally getting over the hump this season.
As for Skinner, he had a good, if quiet, season with the Penguins. He registered a 2.99 GAA and .885 SV% in 27 games. The numbers aren’t exactly Vezina Trophy stats, but good enough to help the Penguins win the second spot in the Metro Division.
And it was Skinner who got the call for the Penguins in Game 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Unfortunately for Penguins fans, Skinner could not hold the fort when his team needed it the most. That’s something that Oilers fans know all too well.
With the game tied at one in the third period, Skinner allowed two goals roughly seven minutes apart. That was enough to doom the Penguins to drop Game 1 at home. Now, it’s unclear whether the Penguins will go back to Skinner for Game 2 or start Arturs Silovs.
That’s a tough reality Oilers fans can easily relate to.
Ingram Will Look to Prove He’s the Answer for Oilers
Connor Ingram figures to be the Oilers’ starter for Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks. And he’ll be looking to prove he’s the solution for Edmonton.
After getting a call-up in late December, Ingram has been money in the bank for the Oilers. He appeared in 32 regular-season games, winning 16. He registered a 2.60 GAA and an .899 SV%. While the numbers won’t be landing him the Vezina Trophy this season, the hope is that they can carry over into the postseason.
Most importantly, Oilers fans hope Ingram can be a lot more consistent than Skinner ever was. The Oil also hopes that Ingram won’t force the club to ping-pong between goalies. Last postseason, for instance, Edmonton had to alternate between Skinner and Calvin Pickard throughout the postseason.
In the end, neither goalie was able to truly hold down the fort.
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This May Just Be Edmonton’s Year
There’s another interesting twist for the Oilers this season. Edmonton might just have its best chance to claim the Stanley Cup, given how the Florida Panthers failed to make the playoffs this season.
While the path out of the Western Conference won’t be easy, it seems the Oilers have their best chance to win a Cup in a long time.
The road to the Stanley Cup Final will lead the Oilers through one of the toughest teams in the NHL. The Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, or Minnesota Wild will be waiting in the Western Conference Final.
Beyond that gauntlet, The Oil would be on track to face a different Eastern Conference foe. In that event, the Oilers may just end Canada’s three-decade-long Stanley Cup drought.
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