Finally, the preseason is wrapped up with the Edmonton Oilers losing 3-2 against the Vancouver Canucks, in overtime. This means the next game the Oilers will play will be their home opener against their rival, Calgary Flames to kickoff the 2025-26 National Hockey League (NHL) season.
Stuart Skinner was the expected starter heading into the game but after reportedly contracting the same illness that has been sweeping the Oilers locker room, he was unavailable. The team called up Matt Tomkins and instead Calvin Pickard took over the starter's role for the night.
Despite the loss, both teams were even in shots at 27 a piece, with Vancouver being the only one to generate a shot in the extra frame. The game overall was fairly even without one team clearly dominating the other.
Some of the standout players for the Oilers were Kasperi Kapanen, who opened the scoring for the Oilers, tying the game up 1-1 in the second period. Leon Draisaitl was able to also score in the second, getting the Oilers up to 2-1.
Players who impressed in preseason
There have been many standout players over the past few weeks. Rookies who are expected to make the opening night lineup like Ike Howard, David Tomasek, and Matt Savoie were able to inject some talent and energy into the depths of the team.
As well, prospects who did not make the cut such as: Atro Leppanen, Josh Samanski, Quinn Hutson, and others were able to show that they should be able to make a push for a spot down the road.
Even beyond rookies, veteran defender Darnell Nurse scoring three goals this preseason, same with Kasperi Kapanen. If they could carry this momentum into the regular season, it could benefit the Oilers depth greatly.
However, there were a few players whose play may be a cause for concern.
The Oilers goaltending concerns continue
It is no secret that the team has had many questions and general manager Stan Bowman has faced plenty of criticism for his lack of moves made in the crease. There was plenty of optimism with how starting goaltender Skinner came to camp but his play has poured cold water on this hype for the most part.
The Oilers starting netminder played two exhibition matches, stopping 40 of the 46 shots he faced. Across those two games he finished with 3.10 goals against average (GAA) and 3.00 GAA, as well as an .833 save percentage and .893 save percentage.
Pickard, the presumptive backup heading into the season, played three games, his first was a shutout win stopping all 21 shots he faced. Then, over the next two games he stopped 37 of 44 shots with a 4.21 GAA and 2.95 GAA as well as a .765 and .889 save percentage in his last two games, respectively.
It is important not to put too much stock into preseason performances but it is hard to ignore the results, especially with the concerns surrounding the Oilers goaltenders. It is one of the things that can make or break a team's success or failure and it is something that has plagued the club for years.
It is not all hopeless though and we will have to be patient for the regular season to start and to see how things play out. The team made changes behind the bench, hiring new goaltending coach Peter Aubry, who has extensive history with Bowman.
There is also the recent acquisition of goaltender Connor Ingram from the Utah Mammoth who is down with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. He is at this stage an insurance option and it remains to be seen if he will take on a role with the big club.
The Oilers next game will come Wednesday night at home, at Rogers Place in a classic Battle of Alberta rivalry matchup against the Calgary Flames. Hopefully the Oilers have better luck between the pipes on opening night and beyond.