EDMONTON — What is more crucial at this point in the year?
Is it a shorthanded team that throws 87 shots at the Dallas Stars` net, goes down 4-0, yet battles back to make it a 4-3 game by the final horn?
Or is it the Edmonton Oilers` persistent lack of toughness throughout the season, highlighted by the injury to their starting goalie, Stuart Skinner? This wasn`t the first instance where a Stars player felt comfortable invading Skinner’s crease and making physical contact.
Adding to the concern, Dallas also targeted backup Calvin Pickard. And why wouldn`t they?
It seems to be open season on Edmonton`s goalies, which reflects poorly on a seasoned team like this.
“I was angry at myself. I didn`t see what occurred,” Corey Perry stated when questioned about the Oilers` reaction to protect their goalie. “I was on the ice when (Mikko) Rantanen collided with Skinner.”
“That’s on me. I should never allow that to happen.”
While Rantanen`s actions may not have been deliberate, the reality is when your goalie is injured — Skinner did not accompany the team to Seattle for Thursday`s game — there`s no time for deliberation.
Tristan Blackwood