Falling Short: Identifying the Oilers Responsible for the Disappointing Second Round Exit
G Stuart Skinner
The performance of the rookie netminder in the playoffs played a significant role in the Edmonton Oilers’ inability to make a deep postseason run. While it’s important to acknowledge the team’s overall defensive shortcomings, the numbers posted by the rookie goaltender fell short of what was necessary to secure victories in crucial playoff matchups.
With a goals-against average of 3.68 and a save percentage of .883, the rookie netminder struggled to provide the necessary stability between the pipes during the postseason. These statistics indicate difficulty in consistently making timely saves and preventing opposing teams from capitalizing on scoring opportunities. In the pressure-cooker environment of the playoffs, these numbers were not sufficient to give the Oilers the chance to win critical games.
It is crucial to note that goaltending is a team effort, and the overall defensive performance in front of the netminder must be taken into consideration. However, to make a deep playoff run, goaltenders often need to make game-changing saves that can turn the tide in favour of their team. While it would be unfair to place all the blame on the rookie netminder, his inability to consistently come up with clutch saves proved to be a significant factor in the Oilers’ disappointing playoff campaign.
D Darnell Nurse
Since signing his massive contract extension, defenseman Darnell Nurse has faced intense scrutiny over his performance. While it is fair to acknowledge that the front office shares responsibility for the overpay, Nurse needs to demonstrate his worth on the ice. Unfortunately, his performance in the early playoff exit of the Oilers once again places him in the spotlight as a contributing factor to the team’s shortcomings.
Nurse’s defensive pairing with Cody Ceci proved to be a weak point in their own zone. Both defensemen were frequently on the ice for pivotal goals allowed by the Oilers against teams like the LA Kings and Vegas Golden Knights. This inability to effectively defend and prevent crucial goals is a significant concern for Nurse, especially considering his elevated role and salary expectations.
The lack of defensive support for rookie goaltender Skinner was frustrating to watch, with Nurse failing to provide the necessary stability and protection in front of the net. In Game 6 against the Golden Knights, Nurse finished with a -3 plus/minus rating and failed to contribute any points to the team’s offence. Furthermore, his unnecessary suspension in Game 5 due to a fight in the closing seconds of Game 4 only compounded his underwhelming playoff performance.
Throughout the playoffs, Nurse managed only four points and finished with a -2 rating. These numbers fall well short of what is expected from a defenseman of his calibre, especially in a high-pressure playoff environment. While it is worth noting that Nurse played through injuries in last year’s playoffs, he cannot rely on that excuse this year.
C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a tremendous regular season for the Edmonton Oilers, reaching the milestone of 100 points for the first time in his career. His offensive contributions were crucial to the team’s success and showcased his ability to be a consistent scoring threat. However, when it came to the playoffs, Nugent-Hopkins’ production failed to carry over, leaving a noticeable void in the Oilers’ lineup.
In the series against the Golden Knights, Leon Draisaitl started off strong with an impressive display in Games 1 and 2. However, as the series progressed, his offensive production dwindled, leaving the Oilers heavily reliant on their star players, particularly Connor McDavid. With opponents focusing their defensive efforts on shutting down McDavid and Draisaitl, the need for secondary scoring and contributions from the supporting cast became increasingly evident.
Nugent-Hopkins, known for his versatility and contributions beyond just scoring, played a vital role in the Oilers’ penalty kill and brought value to the team in other areas of the game. However, in the playoffs, the lack of offensive output from him and other key players like Zach Hyman and an injured Evander Kane proved to be a significant challenge for the team to overcome.
The success of any team in the playoffs hinges on the ability of the supporting cast to step up and alleviate the pressure on their star players. While Nugent-Hopkins’ contributions in other aspects of the game are recognized and appreciated, his inability to provide the necessary offensive production when it mattered most was a glaring weakness for the Oilers.