Edmonton Oilers

[Axeman33]

Toughest opponent will be the reffing and goaltending (not talent, but typical question marks for a team without a top 5 guy).

They have strong 5on5 numbers, but that's off the backs of their lethal PP. Teams open up 5on5 when they get penalized. If you don't get penalized, then they tighten up 5on5. I have always been a believer in the reffing should not change in the playoffs from the regular season. If you make it to the playoffs because you destroy teams when they cheat and get caught, that should be there for you in the playoffs.

They can take on anyone, but someone that might be able to drag them down to their opponents level is the reffing.

Goaltending hasn't been an issue for Edmonton for months now. I dont see that changing but who knows. Even Campbell has played much better since the trade deadline.

[2014olympicgold]

Goaltending hasn't been an issue for Edmonton for months now. I dont see that changing but who knows. Even Campbell has played much better since the trade deadline.

Goaltending is the problem with a majority of the teams in the playoffs to me. Unless you have the top guys. I guess if everyone has it, is it a problem? hmmm.

I agree with you, both goalies have done well enough to not be 5 alarm worried about them.

[Axeman33]

Goaltending is the problem with a majority of the teams in the playoffs to me. Unless you have the top guys. I guess if everyone has it, is it a problem? hmmm.

I agree with you, both goalies have done well enough to not be 5 alarm worried about them.

Skinner is in the Calder conversation for a reason.

[lobo1969]

Skinner is in the Calder conversation for a reason.

Skinner even managed to break Grant Fuhr's rookie goalie win record...

[2014olympicgold]

Stuart Skinner Since Jan1st:
27GP, 17-5-4 (must have a no record on 1 game), 2.72GAA, .910s%

Stuart Skinner Since Mar1st:
16GP, 14-1-1, 2.43GAA, .918s%

Jack Campbell Since Jan1st:
20GP, 13-2-3 (must have a no record on 2 games), 3.00GAA, 0.899s%

Jack Campbell Since Mar1st:
5GP, 4-1-0, 2.97GAA, 0.910s%

Skinner since April though has been lights out. And in his 27GP in 2023, there's only been like 5 not good games, but 12ish games with a sub 900s%. Should be interesting what happens in the playoffs.

[doulos]

Yeah, absolutely anything can happen in the playoffs for sure. Any team can beat another one.

I'm planning on just hanging out with my son to cheer them on and hope he can finally see a Cup from this team this season. They at least have a puncher's chance at it, and that has not been the case very often in decades.

[metaldude26]

The last couple months have been a fun ride for sure, but needs a long playoff run to pay it off, similar to last season's switch getting flipped with the arrival of Kane and the coaching change. This year was about getting healthier and then the addition of Ekholm putting every defenseman on the roster into their proper roles (plus a much easier finishing schedule). The expectation should be winning a playoff round with a very good chance in any round the rest of the way. Losing in R1 to the Kings (very possible) would feel like a let down given the strides that were made. Still, it's clear that this team is in their window to win and actually has a roster that could do it.

My concerns are injury (there is little margin for losing a defenseman), goaltending (Skinner is still a rookie and despite the last month Campbell cannot be allowed to touch the ice) and officiating (the Kings are going to try to employ the "they can't call them all" strategy that was successful for Winnipeg two years ago and that they nearly pulled off themselves last year).