2) Stuart Skinner keeps the score respectable
So much for all the talk of the Oilers been a better defensive team compared to last season. To date, it seems all the talk of a new zone scheme, a full season of Mattias Ekholm, a revitalized Jack Campbell and so on is just that – talk.
In fact if anything, the Oilers’ defensive game is actually worse that last season thus far. As of Friday morning, they are ranked third-worst in the NHL in terms of overall goals allowed and goals-per-game average.
As a knock-on effect, you would be just in thinking the Oilers’ goalies are having a poor season so far. In this respect, Stuart Skinner’s save percentage of .913 the previous two campaigns has dropped to .846, while his 3.93 GAA is more than a goal higher than in either of the last couple of seasons.
And yet, along with Campbell, Skinner has actually managed to stop the damage being even worse at times, in his four appearances this season. It was more of the same on Thursday night, versus the Rangers.
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The 24-year-old was tremendous during the first period, almost single-handedly keeping the Oilers in the game. The Rangers outshot the hosts 10-5 during the opening 20 minutes, and only four key saves kept the score tied at 0-0.
It all started to fall apart for the Oilers in the second half, as the Rangers outshot them 18-13. Many of the visitor’s attempts were genuine opportunities, with Skinner still doing his best to keep them at bay.
Ultimately though, there was nothing the Edmonton native could do to maintain the shutout. The Rangers scored third times in the second 20 minute period, with him not really having any chance on any of the goals.
Again though, without Skinner it would have been even worse than 3-0 overall. (The Rangers also hit a couple of posts.) When it was all said and done, he finished with 29 saves out of 32 shots.