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Global News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Oilers confident ahead of ‘challenge' in meeting Stars again in NHL West final
It is a well-rested, eager group of Edmonton Oilers who head into the NHL Western Conference final confident they will repeat their 2024 series victory over the Dallas Stars. 'There's lots of things going to be similar,' forward Leon Draisaitl said of meeting the Stars for the second straight conference final. 'They know how we want to play and we know how they want to play. It's going to come down to execution. 'It's going to be a challenge. They're a good defensive team, lots of good defensive players.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's going to be a challenge. They're a good defensive team, lots of good defensive players." When asked about the Oilers' defence, Draisaitl bristled just a bit, assuring reporters that the team is ready to handle the Stars in the series that begins in Dallas on Wednesday night. Story continues below advertisement Without even mentioning the back-to-back shutout victories the team posted in finishing off the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, Draisaitl said the Oilers are 'very confident' in their defence. 'We've been a very good defensive team for years now,' said the team's playoff goal-scoring leader. 'Are we going to give up a couple more goals than we want to now and then? Of course, every team does. It's too hard to shut out every team or just give up one or two goals. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 2:02 Pucks, pints and profits: The 'hockey-nomics' of NHL playoffs Head coach Kris Knoblauch attributed the team's much improved defensive play, despite the absence of Mattis Ekholm and a number of roster changes, to subtle adjustments and aggressive shot blocking. 'There were a lot of blocked shots,' Knoblauch said of the team's shutout victories against the Golden Knights. 'And also when you're getting saves you forget about the mistakes.' Story continues below advertisement One of the key defencemen was Darrell Nurse who agreed the Oilers have played 'really well defensively' in the playoffs. 'But there's always room for improvement when it comes to limiting chances,' he added. 'Obviously now with a different opponent they're going to present different looks and different challenges.' Which means, he added, the Oilers will have to continue to elevate their defensive game. Or at least keep it 'at the same level we had in finishing off Vegas.' 1:48 Bouch Bombs to parody songs: Edmonton Oilers fan goes viral One of the key challenges facing the Oilers, especially defensively, is Dallas forward Mikko Rantanen — who leads all playoff scorers with nine goals and 19 points. Story continues below advertisement 'He's a great player, very dynamic, very dangerous, but no different from lots of players we've faced,' Draisaitl said. 'We have to be aware of him, time and space, all the things that you do when you prepare for any team's top-end guys.' But, added Nurse, the Dallas offence is a lot more than just the recently acquired Rantanen. 'Obviously, he's a special player, but their team has a lot of other threats up and down their lineup. They have a team that can score throughout their lineup so every time you're on the ice, no matter what line you're out there against, you have to pay attention to detail defensively.' Monday's practice saw Ekholm participate in his first full team practice since April 11. He's been ruled out for the first two games and Knoblauch said he was 'optimistic' the Swede could return at some point during the series. Advertisement
Global News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Stuart Skinner replaces injured Calvin Pickard as Oilers' starter for Game 3
Head coach Kris Knoblauch predicted the Edmonton Oilers would need Stuart Skinner back in net at some point in the playoffs. Calvin Pickard's health prompted that change for Saturday's Game 3 of a second-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights with the Oilers leading 2-0. Knoblauch said before the game that Pickard's status was day-to-day. 1:44 Unique piece of Edmonton Oilers memorabilia up for auction Pickard appeared uncomfortable and was seen shaking out his left leg after Vegas forward Tomas Hertl landed on his left pad in Game 2 in Las Vegas. Story continues below advertisement Pickard finished out the 5-4 overtime win with 28 saves, including all seven in overtime. He was lauded by his teammates as a prime reason the Oilers were able to bring a two-game lead home to Rogers Place. Pickard didn't participate in Saturday's pre-game skate, however. Skinner prepared for his first playoff action since he was pulled in the second game of a first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. 'Not the situation that we probably want to be in, but I mean that's playoffs,' Skinner said. 'You need two goalies to normally go all the way. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I'm excited to go back to the net. I've had time to work on some things and I'm ready to go.' Knoblauch had said before Tuesday's Game 1 in Las Vegas, 'I know there'll be a time when Stu's back in that net' while adding he hoped Pickard's performance wouldn't be the reason. It turned out to be his health, and the severity of his injury was unknown. The Oilers being in control of the series gave them leeway to be cautious with a goalie who has come into his own this post-season. Pickard's six straight playoff wins tied Andy Moog (1983) and Grant Fuhr (twice in 1987) for the fifth-longest streak in franchise history. Story continues below advertisement 1:48 Bouch Bombs to parody songs: Edmonton Oilers fan goes viral Pickard's goal-against average was 2.84 and his save percentage .888 in those half-dozen starts. 'Very fortunate, we've got two goalies we have a lot of confidence in,' Knoblauch said. 'For Picks to go on this run throughout the playoffs without a loss is really remarkable and just riding the hot hand, unfortunately he's not available for us right now. 'Fortunately, we got a great backup option. And when I say backup, our starter for all the year and he's ready to go.' The 33-year-old Pickard, from Moncton, had just two previous playoff starts to his name before this season. Both were with the Oilers last year in the second round against the Vancouver Canucks. Skinner is 19-17 all-time in career playoff games for the Oilers with a goal-against average of 3.00 and a save percentage of .889. Story continues below advertisement The 26-year-old from Edmonton was pulled for Pickard after the Kings scored five goals in a 6-2 win April 23. 'I've been here before. Nothing's that new to me,' Skinner said. 'It's an opportunity again for me to go into the net and do my job and just give these guys a chance to win.' Stuart started all but two post-season games in 2024 when Edmonton reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final and lost 2-1 to the Florida Panthers. 'We're expecting Skins to come in and deliver what he's done before,' Knoblauch said. 'He was in this situation last year after having a little break in the Vancouver series and came back was a really solid goaltender throughout that series against Vancouver and throughout the rest of the playoffs.' Skinner missed eight of Edmonton's last 11 regular-season games after he was concussed. Pickard went 5-3 during that stretch.
