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Game Seven: Oilers-Canucks series to be decided in winner-takes-all showdown
Playoff Game Day 2.7 Edmonton at Vancouver Game Seven. Both words are common enough, but when conjoined in that fashion will set a hockey fan’s heart aflutter. On Monday night, those will be the supporters of the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Cancucks, as the two surviving Canadian squads play a winner-take-all showdown to decide who moves on to face Dallas Stars in the Conference Finals. It’s the twelfth time in their 45-year NHL history that the Oilers have played a Game Seven. Many words could and have been written about each of its predecessors, but we’ll stick to the basics here: 1984 second round: EDMONTON 7, Calgary 4 1986 second round: Calgary 3, EDMONTON 2 1987 Stanley Cup Finals: EDMONTON 3 Philadelphia 1 1989 first round: LOS ANGELES 6, Edmonton 3 1990 first round: EDMONTON 4, Winnipeg 1 1991 first round: Edmonton 5, CALGARY 4 (OT) 1997 first round: Edmonton 4, DALLAS 3 (OT) 1998 first round: Edmonton 4, COLORADO 0 2006 Stanley Cup Finals: CAROLINA 3, Edmonton 1 2017 second round: ANAHEIM 2, Edmonton 1 2022 first round: EDMONTON 2, Los Angeles 0 — 2024 second round: Edmonton at VANCOUVER Winning team shown first, home team in ALL CAPS. Edmonton has a 7-4 record in prior Games Seven, but so does the home team. 7 of the 11 games produced 5 or fewer goals. Games Seven are traditionally hotly-contested affairs with open ice at a premium anywhere on the sheet and especially so in the slot. Similarly, powerplay opportunities are typically few and far between in winner-take-all situations. Tonight’s line-up No surprises here as the Oilers will ice the exact same lines, pairings and starting goaltender as produced their 5-1 win in Game Six. It was likely the squad’s most complete game of the series. The Canucks are not so fortunate as to be able to ice the same line-up, having lost star winger Brock Boeser to blood clots that were diagnosed in the aftermath of Game Six. Boeser led Vancouver with 40 goals during the season, and is doing likewise in the playoffs with 7 tallies and 12 points. He terrorized the Oilers in particular, scoring 9 times in the 10 prior games this season. The home squad will in fact make a pair of line-up changes, as depth forward Vasily Podkolzin will reportedly be scratched. Veterans Sam Lafferty and Ilya Mikhevey will draw back in. Mikheyev is reportedly lining up with J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson on Vancouver’s top line. Vancouver’s line combinations are reportedly: Elias Pettersson – J.T. Miller – Ilya Mikheyev Dakota Joshua – Elias Lindholm – Conor Garland Nils Hoglander – Pius Suter – Sam Lafferty Nils Aman – Teddy Blueger – Phillip Di Guiseppe …though obviously are subject to change either before or after puck drop. One change the Canucks won’t be making is in net, where Vezina Trophy finalist Thatcher Demko remains sidelined, as he has been for this entire series. So it’s advantage Oilers on the health front, whose players are dealing with a variety of aches and pains not to mention illness but are mostly available to play. Only veteran forward Adam Henrique has been ruled out due to injury. On the ice, though, it’s a single game, where things can be decided by a crazy bounce (see: 1986), an amazing save (1997), or an individual dominant performance (2022). Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to an official’s call or video review but is decided cleanly on the ice. Game time is officially 7:00pm MDT. Recently at the Cult of Hockey STAPLES: Canucks to pair Miller, Pettersson in Game 7 STAPLES: “Bigger than hockey” — Boeser sidelined by blood clots LEAVINS: 9 Things, May 19 edition STAPLES: Social media reaction to Game 6 McCURDY: Stu Skinner gets net back for Game 6 Player grades McCURDY: Game 6 — Oilers 5, Canucks 1 LEAVINS: Game 5 — Canucks 3, Oilers 2 STAPLES: Game 4 — Oilers 3, Canucks 2 McCURDY: Game 3 — Canucks 4, Oilers 3 STAPLES: Game 2 — Oilers 4, Canucks 3 (OT) LEAVINS: Game 1 — Canucks 5, Oilers 4 Follow me on X-Twitter @BruceMcCurdy
For new Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube, this question won't be answered on Tuesday
The question that will be on the minds of most won’t have an answer when Craig Berube is introduced as the new Maple Leafs coach on Tuesday morning. What will Berube do to guide the Leafs’ best players to the point that they can be actual difference-makers in the Stanley Cup playoffs? Everything else lined up for Berube’s predecessor, Sheldon Keefe, in the latter’s tenure of 4 1/2 years as Leafs coach. Under Keefe, the Leafs recorded three consecutive 100-point regular seasons, a fact that no other man who has stood behind the Toronto bench can use as a bragging right. When the hockey mattered most, though, we know what happened: The Leafs couldn’t break through in the playoffs and, when they did advance to the second round a year ago, the usual refrain resumed. In three of its four losses to Florida in a series that went just five games, Toronto lost by one goal. This spring, Keefe didn’t have the usage of a full lineup in the first round against the Boston Bruins for all seven games and, by that, of course, we’re referring to William Nylander’s migraines and Auston Matthews’ illness and head injury that caused the club’s best forwards to miss time. We’ll never know if the outcome would have been different had Nylander and Matthews both been healthy for every game. You have to entertain the idea, though, that the scales would have been tipped in the Leafs’ favour and, if so, then the narrative today changes. Having said that, we would have picked the Panthers to beat the Leafs in the second round. The elephant-in-the-room type of question that goes hand-in-hand with Berube’s ability to squeeze more from the Leafs’ stars in the post-season, of course, is which core players will be remaining when the puck drops for opening night of the regular season. Extensions for Matthews and Nylander start this coming season, extensions that were authored by general manager Brad Treliving with Matthews signing last August and Nylander this past January. With those contracts, Treliving tied the Leafs’ future to the backs of Matthews and Nylander. Captain John Tavares, with one year left on his contract, might not be asked to waive his no-move clause. With Mitch Marner, it could be much different. If the Leafs make true on their desire to make core changes, even the most casual of observers take that to mean that Marner will be asked to consider waiving his no-move clause. If Marner decides he doesn’t want to do that — and we go back two weeks ago when he said his wish was to remain with the Leafs for the long term — then Treliving’s off-season becomes that much more intriguing. There would be many worse things than having Marner back in 2024-25 for the Leafs to finish his contract. No matter what Marner has or has not done in the playoffs, though, watching him walk in free agency next summer with zero return would be a major blow to the organization. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. If Berube wants a chance to coach Marner with the rest of the core, perhaps giving him that opportunity could bear playoff fruit in the end. That leads to another question, though: What could reasonably be deemed as playoff success in Toronto? Is it Berube coaching the team beyond the first round next spring? Do people really think that Berube is suddenly going to turn the Leafs into legitimate Cup contenders in one year? As it stands today, we can’t say with certainty that the Leafs will be any better under Berube than they were under Keefe. Look at this past regular season — Keefe coached the Leafs to a 102-point season through a minefield that included injuries to key players and goaltending that found consistency elusive at times. All the while, Treliving’s words that the Leafs defence corps was a work in progress hung in the air. And yet, defensive play was not the reason the Leafs lost in seven games to the Bruins. The Leafs played tight hockey, especially in the latter stages of the series. We hate to break it to you, but if the Leafs weren’t being held properly accountable within their four dressing room walls, they wouldn’t have persevered like they did in the regular season and they wouldn’t have played smart defensive hockey in the playoffs. At no time did the Leafs quit on Keefe. Berube won the Cup in 2019 with St. Louis after taking over mid-season when Mike Yeo was fired in Nov. 2018. The Blues, though, never got close to hoisting the silver mug again with Berube as coach and his regular-season record in the past several years wasn’t on par with Keefe’s. The Leafs have to figure out what’s happening with Marner, Treliving has to get it right with the changes he is bound to make in goal and he has to find a way to turn his defence corps into one that is no longer a work in progress. Lance Hornby looks back at the 15 Maple Leafs coaches he has chronicled SIMMONS SAYS: On second thought, Craig Berube was a good hire for the Maple Leafs As for Berube’s impact on the core and how that is measured in success next spring? Sure, Berube will be a different voice than Keefe was. But that question can’t be answered on Tuesday when Berube and Treliving hold court at the Ford Performance Centre. tkoshan@postmedia.com X: @koshtorontosun
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Vancouver will take nuclear option for Game 7, says Canucks insider. Will Edmonton Oilers respond in kind?
This in from Canucks insider TSN’s Farhan Lalji, news of how the Vancouver Canucks intend to respond in Game 7 to the loss of star forward Brock Boeser. In previous home games against the Edmonton Oilers, Boeser was counted on as a two-way ace to team with star forward J.T. Miller and winger Pius Suter to face Edmonton’s top line led by Connor McDavid. But with Boeser out, that line match-up — so fundamental to Vancouver’s home success against Edmonton, with the Canucks winning two out of three games — is not possible. What is possible, though, is the Canucks going nuclear, putting their top two forwards Miller and Elias Pettersson together to face the McDavid line in Game 7. As Lalji has reported, it will be difficult to replace such a player as Boeser, who not only scores but is counted on to check top players. Here is a link to Lalji’s full report . Elias Lindholm will reunite with Connor Garland and Dakota Joshua and could be the match-up line against McDavid’s line, Lalji said, but then added: “I do think (Elias) Pettersson and (J.T.) Miller are going to see extensive minutes together so that they can provide some additional offensive support.” Presumably Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet would match up the Pettersson/Miller combo against Leon Draisaitl’s line with Dylan Holloway and Evander Kane. In this high-stakes coaching duel, how will Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch respond? My take 1. Vancouver has the last change on home ice so Tocchet has that trump card when it comes to line matching. Against this weapon, Knoblauch finally has the four best, most balanced and most effective two-way lines that he’s managed to put together the entire season. The question for Knoblauch is whether he’ll stick with those lines or go back to a trio of Draisaitl, McDavid and Zach Hyman on the top line, Edmonton’s own nuclear option. This might be a game of nuclear vs nuclear. 2. McDavid has regularly been force fed Miller in Vancouver, where Tocchet gets to play his trump card. In Games 1, 2 and 5, the Vancouver home-ice games, Miller’s 5-on-5 ice-time against McDavid was 10.6, 14.5 and 9.8 minutes. Tocchet has played this card again and again, trusting his big, rugged and smart centre to have what it takes to thwart McDavid. In Edmonton, Knoblauch has tried to get McDavid away from Miller, with McDavid facing off against the Canucks centre 7.9 minutes in Game 3, but just 4.2 minutes in Game 4, and 3.9 minutes in Game 6. Of course, the Oilers lost Game 3, when Miller played more against McDavid, but won Games 4 and 6, when McDavid faced Miller less. It would appear, then, that any strategy where McDavid plays less against Miller works to Edmonton’s advantage. 3. Is Tocchet going to abandon the Miller vs McDavid match-up now, when it’s worked so well in the past in this series? Hmm. I have my doubts, but it could well be that Tocchet will match the Lindhom line against McDavid, and then have his Miller-Pettersson nuclear combo against the Drai line, hoping that the Draisaitl line will implode defensively, as Drai’s line did facing the Jack Eichel line in the crucial Game 6 loss to Vegas last season. If Tocchet does match-up Drai vs Miller, Draisaitl will have the biggest defensive responsibility of his career, at least since facing off against the Eichel line. Containing Miller and Pettersson will be a major chore for Draisaitl and Evander Kane. One thought: if Tocchet does indeed go Miller line vs Draisaitl line, will Knoblauch respond by shifting a more defensive winger, like Mattias Janmark, to play with Draisaitl and Kane? 4. Miller and Pettersson did not play much together this year, just 175 minutes at 5-on-5 between the playoffs and the regular season. They have been handily outshot on the ice together, but they have outscored the opposition 15 to nine goals. That’s a sizeable margin. You can see why Tocchet might well be going to his own nuclear option. If Pettersson and Miller can combine to out-score Edmonton by a goal or two at even strength that will go a long way to the Canucks’ winning Game 7, especially if the Lindholm line can at least saw it off against the McDavid line. 5. When teamed up with RNH and Hyman in the playoffs, McDavid has done exceptionally well. In 34 minutes, the trio has outshot the opposition 23 to 10 and outscored them five goals to zero. This line appears to be a solid bet. In 29 minutes together, the Draisaitl, Evander Kane and Dylan Holloway line has also done well, 20 to 17 on shots and four goals for to one goal against, so another solid bet. 5. All that said, in the one game that Edmonton beat Vancouver on Vancouver ice, the Oil’s 4-3 Game 2 win, Knoblauch went nuclear, playing McDavid, Draisaitl and Hyman together, and the threesome were dominant. That wasn’t the case, however, in Game 3, where the Oilers went with the McD-Drai combo but lost on home ice. But there’s no sure things for the Oilers here. The McDavid, RNH and Hyman line was also mediocre in Edmonton’s Game 5 loss in Vancouver, so it’s not like going with that trio that did so well in Game 6 is a certain master stroke for Game 7 in Vancouver. 6. A final consideration for Knoblauch? He’s finally put together two solid shut-down lines to back up his top lines. The Ryan McLeod-Derek Ryan-Warren Foegele line did well in the playoffs last season and had a solid Game 6, even as McLeod lost his footing and position on Vancouver’s loan goal against. The line of Sam Carrick, Connor Brown and Janmark was also solid on defence. As I see it, it’s a win for the Oilers any time that Knoblauch can get one of these two checking lines out against the Miller or Lindholm lines. Edmonton’s bottom lines can defend well enough, tire out these lines, and free up the McDavid and Draisaitl lines to face Vancouver’s bottom two lines. 7. How will it play out? I don’t expect Knoblauch to go with McDavid and Draisaitl together, not unless Edmonton is sinking in this game. Vancouver has suffered a major blow in losing Brock Boeser, forcing Tocchet to adjust, possibly moving away from his effective Swede line of Lindholm, Pettersson and Nils Hoglander. It’s likely best to leave the scrambling just now to Tocchet and for Knoblauch to stick with lines that worked so well in Game 6. The advantage for the Oilers in simply rolling lines and not worrying about match ups is that the players and coaches can then focus on their own performance, get in a groove and just play hard and smart two-way hockey, freeing up mental energy for that most difficult of tasks. Make sense? How do you see it? 8. And in remembrance of TSN’s Darren Dutchyshen, a profile of him from 1990 when he was just a kid starting out in Edmonton, the brash, smart-talking and loveable pride of Porcupine Plain. Read it here . At the Cult of Hockey STAPLES: “Gutted for Boeser”: Hockey world reacts to Brock Boeser out for Game 7 due to blood clotting issues McCURDY: Game 6 player grades LEAVINS: 9 Things
"This is bigger than hockey": Oilers and Canucks fans come together over Brock Boeser missing Game 7 due to blood clotting issues
News that top-line Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser will miss Game 7 due to blood clotting issues hit the hockey world hard on Sunday. And on the day of a game anticipated to be ferocious, fast and furious, it’s also brought together fans of both the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers in shared respect for Boeser and hope for his recovery. As one Oilers fan put it, “This is bigger than hockey.” The news was first reported by Vancouver hockey commentator Irfaan Gaffar on Sunday afternoon. Boeser is Vancouver’s leading scorer with seven goals and 12 points in 12 games in the 2024 playoffs. He was playing on the top line with J.T. Miller and Pius Suter. TSN’s Farhan Lalji has now reported the signs and symptoms were there even in Game 6 and worsened overnight. It will be difficult to replace such a player, who not only scores but is counted on to check to players, Lalji said. Related: Canucks will go nuclear in Game 7, Van insider says. Will Oilers respond in kind? Here is some of the reaction in Vancouver, Edmonton and around the NHL: Vancouver sports commentator Irfaan Gaffar@irfgaffar Brock Boeser will not be available for the Canucks in game seven on Monday. If they advance, his status moving forward is unclear… Yes, it’s a blood clotting issue. Again, this is not career or life-threatening, thankfully. They are going to take it slow and see how Brock progresses. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser is expected to miss Game 7 against Edmonton with a blood clotting issue. The exact timeline for his return is unknown, but several sources stressed this, thankfully, is not considered a life-threatening situation. Vancouver hockey writer Daniel Wagner @passittobulis Devastating news for Brock Boeser and the Canucks. All that matters now is Boeser’s long-term health. The Cult of Hockey’s Kurt Leavins @KurtLeavins Never want to see this, no matter who you cheer for. Hoping for a full recovery for Boeser. Edmonton sports commentator Dustin Nielson @nielsonTSN1260 Hopefully Boeser is okay, what a huge loss for the Canucks. Certainly could have been a Game 7 hero. Sportsnet Vancouver commentator Iain MacIntyre @imacSportsnet Got to admit I read through mentions — and am impressed at the unilateral support for Canuck Brock Boeser. Many Oilers fans sending good wishes to him. Former Globe & Mail writer Rod Mickleburgh @rodmickleburgh There’s just something about it being Brock Boeser that makes it so heartbreaking, beyond the #Canucks losing their top scorer…he’s such a grounded, human being, who’s been through so much…my heart aches ESPN play-by-play John Buccigross @Buccigross Some people exude a natural grace that is divinely disarming, even to the enemy. Brock Boeser classes up the sport. He showed up in the 2016 NCAA Championship game for North Dakota & he would have shone bright Monday Night. 🙏🏻 #Game7 Canucks fan Logan @CanuckSkate After years of suffering through personal struggles, Brock Boeser has his spectacular bounce back season ended by blood clotting. The world is far too cruel to good people. Nucks Misconduct hockey blog writer Harsunder Singh Hunjan @HarsunderHunjan I seriously hope Boeser is going to be okay and has a complete recovery! Poor guy has been through so much already in his young life 🙏 All of #Canucks nation is with you Brock Boeser! Let’s get the win for him tomorrow! Vancouver fan Rob Sampare Brotchie @canucker101 Get well Canucks Brock Boeser. Oilers fan Lynn Mercereau @lynnmercereau This is bigger than hockey Sports gambling analyst Rachel Doerrie @racheldoerrie Gutted for Boeser. He’s been through so much the past few years. Loved watching him have the fantastic bounce back this season. Hockey doesn’t matter in these moments. Just hoping Brock gets healthy 🙏🏻⭐️🥦🚀 I can’t believe this needs to be said, but it does: the nature of Boeser’s blood clot is no one’s business and we don’t need to add ;vaccine conspiracy theories’ to the nuclear toxic wasteland that is Canucks/Oilers Twitter right now. Hope for a speedy recovery & leave it there. Canucks fan Alece Anderson @AleceAnderson I’m so sad for him… it’s just one thing after the other. Hope he’s gonna be ok ❤️ Daniel Wagner @passittobulis Win it for Boeser. Oilers fan K-JAM @KevinJamieson86 Boeser is a helluva hockey player and a thorn in the Oilers’ side. I wish he was playing tomorrow, and I hope he finds the good health he needs soon. Sportsent commentator Randip Janda @RandipJanda Awful news on the Brock Boeser front. Luckily it’s not life threatening, but scary nonetheless. Wishing him a speedy recovery and return to full health. Rinkwide Vancouver commentator Jeff Paterson @patersonjeff If ever a player could have played the ‘getting treatment’ card instead of talking to media after a tough loss it was Brock Boeser last night. To his credit, he showed up, answered pointed questions, owned his performance — and today we learned he’s out for Game 7 with blood clot. Oilers fan Reese Campbell @LarisseAtalie As an Oilers fan – I wish Boeser nothing but the best as he navigates his health stuff. When he first came to the YVR, he lived in a hotel I managed (all the young Canucks did)& he and his family were nothing but kind and warm to the hotel staff. This was rare and so appreciated. Sportsnet radio play-by-play announcer Brendan Batchelor @BatchHockey You just have to feel awful for Brock Boeser. He’s overcome so much adversity and had such a tremendous season. Hoping for a speedy and full recovery for him. Just a brutal blow to have this happen right now. Vancouver sports commentator Brendan Kobliuk JABO Vancouver Playoffs are about heroes. Some heroes you see coming, and others you would never have expected. Hopefully there are guys in that dressing room who are looking at Brock Boeser’s absence as their opportunity to step up and be that hero. This team will need it. Oilers fan Brock W. Harrison @BrockWHarrison Yikes. As much as I want the Oilers to win, and as much as Boeser has dominated them at times this series, you never ever want to see this. Edmonton Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson @jimmathesonnhl Brock Boeser is a helluva player and scorer. Been a big-time playoff threat for Canucks. Blood-clotting issues are serious stuff. Wish him the best Sportsnet commentator Iain MacIntyre @imacSportsnet Got to feel awful for Brock. Longest-tenured Canuck, who emerged better and stronger after two years of anguish…. It’s like the hockey gods convened a special meeting. They were not happy. They were like, “You mean, the Canucks might still win this thing with their third-string goalie?! What else can we do? Brock Boeser!” TSN reporter Farhan Lalji Big loss for #Canucks leading playoff goal scorer. Even if the team makes it through game 7 it doesn’t sound like Boeser’s return would be imminent. The team’s playoff mantra has been, “Resilient.” That would have been put to the test Monday night regardless, now even more so. Canucks fan Trent Leith @trentl14 You’ve gotta be kidding me. Brock Boeser finally reached his potential as a 40+ goal scorer, is tied for fourth in playoffs scoring with 7 goals in 12 games. Then he has to leave the series right before a crucial game seven at home. This poor guy can’t catch a break. #Canucks OIlers fan X-JESSE @97OrangeCrush29 🙏 speedy recovery to Brock Boeser. All the best. – Oil Country The Hockey Spotlight @nhlspotlight Oilers twitter has not disappointed at the news of the Boeser news. I respect every one of you who’ve came out in support for him. Canucks fan 𝕐 – 𝔾𝕞𝕒𝕟✨ @NotoriousGman88 No Boeser. No Demko. If the Canucks pull if off, that would be MASSIVE! The Cult of Hockey’s David Staples @dstaples Brock Boeser damn impressive this series, both shooting the puck but also defending. Reminded me of Jari Kurri now and then… Wishing him well in recovery from blood clotting issue. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch (asked what it’s like to lose a top player suddenly): It’s amazing when you lose a player like that — obviously you look at your line-up is weaker just without a top player. I’ve seen it numerous times. — but it’s amazing how guys steps up. Everyone steps up and collectively. Sometimes you’re just a beter team. In the long term it’s not a recipe for success, but short term, you look what happened at the Boston series losing (Brad( Marchand (to injury)(. Yeah, we got to be ready…We have to anticipate a team that is going to be really stepping up their game. And in remembrance of TSN’s Darren Dutchyshen, a profile of him from 1990 when he was just a kid starting out in Edmonton, the brash, smart-talking and loveable pride of Porcupine Plain. Read it here . Related LEAVINS: 9 Things McCURDY: Player grades Game 6 At the Cult of Hockey STAPLES: Canucks will go nuclear in Game 7. Will Oilers respond in kind? McCURDY: Game 6 player grades LEAVINS: 9 Things
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5 THINGS: Edmonton Oilers set for Game 7 showdown vs. Canucks
Don’t muck this up. Everyone’s watching. And it’s anyone’s game at this point. After putting together their best effort of the playoffs, and finally looking every bit like their stacked roster oozing elite offensive talent backed by solid defence and reliable goaltending suggests, the Edmonton Oilers forced a Game 7 showdown against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday. The winner moves on to face the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final, while the loser packs up their stalls and leaves the rink lamenting the one that got away and trying to avoid thinking, “There’s always next year.” Here are five factors to consider going into the big game: 1. A series of swings Saturday’s game was the first in the series that wasn’t separated by a single goal. The Oilers displayed a dominance they had been lacking since jumping out to a 4-1 lead midway through the opening game — one they somehow ended up losing 5-4 after surrendering four unanswered goals. After that, it’s been back and forth, with Edmonton keeping pace with the Canucks in back-and-forth fashion, and both teams doing just enough to win their piece of the pattern. Right up until Game 6, that is. The 5-1 score was the Oilers’ biggest margin of victory since defeating the Los Angeles Kings 6-1 in Game 3 of their first-round series on April 26, which also happens to be the last time Edmonton won by more than a goal until Saturday’s game. Just as long as they didn’t use up all their offence in that one. 2. Skinner back in there If you were looking for a redemption game by Stuart Skinner, you got one. Sure, he faced only 15 shots. But it’s not like he could do anything about that, other than make 14 saves for a .933 save percentage. And that’s barrels more than the .793 percentage he limped off the ice with after allowing 12 goals on 58 shots in his first three starts of the series, before being replaced by backup Calvin Pickard. And just like the Oilers did when Pickard came in, Skinner’s return to duty provided a much needed spark for the ones playing in front of him, leading to a win in both games the starting goaltender was changed. If nothing else, Skinner’s playoff performances here in his first two NHL seasons have shown he can’t simply be ridden the entire race, and is at his best with some built-in rest. It’s how the Oilers went on their incredible 16-game win streak to salvage a horrendous start to the season, and will be the way to go if they want to make it 16 more here in the playoffs. But first things first, they need to get win No. 8 on Monday. 3. Solving Silovs At the other end of the ice, the Oilers may have come up with the blueprint on how to beat Arturs Silovs. The 23-year-old Latvian netminder has been doing the yeoman’s work in the playoffs for the Canucks since being called up from the farm in the wake of injuries to Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith. This round, his legs have proven tough to beat, as he gets up and down and side to side with an efficiency belying any lack of experience. And while the Oilers have managed to find the five hole from time to time, it was the glove that let him down most on Saturday. 4. Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots … Evan Bouchard has stood out in this series unlike any other. And on a roster boasting the league’s top-two scoring leaders in the playoffs, Leon Draisaitl (eight goals, 15 assists) and Connor McDavid (two goals, 19 assists), that’s not always the easiest thing to do. The thing is, Bouchard is doing it. The defenceman is keeping pace with the potent pair, offensively, coming in at third overall with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 11 games. He’s scored two game-winners so far in the series, both on blasts from the blue line, and earned another with a nail in the proverbial coffin to go ahead 3-1 midway through Game 6. What he’s been doing is putting shots on net, and the rest of the team is starting to follow suit, abandoning constant attempts at perfect passes around the net and carefully crafted set plays, in favour of just putting pucks on. The strategy is proving as sound as it is simple. Why abandon it now? 5. Enjoy this one In sports, winning and losing are two sides of the same coin. And it’s the price of being a fan. The good times for some must come at the expense of others. But instead of just flipping coin after coin and recording whether it comes up heads or tails, it’s important at a time like this to pause for a moment and consider how this one comes down to the final two Canadian clubs in contention for the Stanley Cup, which hasn’t made its way north in over 30 years. But let’s face it, the short-term bragging rights for one city are every bit as important as anything right now. E-mail: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge Related Game 6 rout doesn't mean Edmonton Oilers have solved Canuck riddle Oilers notebook: Holloway channels McDavid to put Canucks on their heels
Oilers notebook: Holloway channels McDavid to put Canucks on their heels
Playoff hockey is about the small, dirty moments. As Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet so graphically put it after Game 6 Saturday: “If you have to eat the puck to get the puck out along the boards, you do it.” But the games are also for big, highlight reel stuff, like what Dylan Holloway offered up in the eighth minute. A bolt up ice like No. 97 has done so often, and a dazzling finish. Kind of McDavid-esque. “I don’t know if I’d compare myself to Connor,” laughed the Edmonton Oiler winger, who maybe didn’t go coast-to-coast like McDavid often does, but still delivered a province-to-province wow statement in which he eluded Vancouver’s best defenceman Quinn Hughes, then tucked the puck through the legs of goalie Arturs Silovs. It wasn’t like Connor going one-on-five with a thousand shimmy-shakes and scoring that incredible goal against the New York Rangers a few years back. But Holloway’s effort got the Oilers ahead in the elimination game , and calmed some early nerves. He had two goals against Los Angeles in a Game 2 loss in the first series — a coming-out moment — but this was a big-bang goal. He did his best to stay humble as he replayed it, trying not to smile. “I think they were kind of cheating, thinking Leo (Draisaitl) was going to pick up the puck and he did (at first),” said Holloway. “I was able to gain some speed and Leo made a nice play to me. I kind of caught their D flat-footed. I was happy for that one to go in, it felt pretty good.” More than pretty good. Related Game 6 rout doesn't mean Edmonton Oilers have solved Canuck riddle Edmonton Oilers put boots to Vancouver Canucks to force Game 7 “What an unbelievable individual effort from a guy who came up, really for the playoffs,” said Zach Hyman. “He’s had big moments here, but that was a huge goal to get us up, to settle the team down.” At the trade deadline when Holloway was sent down to Bakersfield as the Oilers added Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick, it was Evander Kane trying to settle down the hugely disappointed young player after the demotion. “If you had told me when I got sent down that I would be where I am at right now … I wouldn’t have believed you,” said Holloway. “Kaner told me to keep my head up high and learn as much as I could (in Bakersfield) and that he would see me soon. In a sense, I guess he was right. It is pretty cool playing on his line, with Leo.” “I’ve been on Dylan for two or three days, saying he’s going to score, that it’s right there, keep shooting, he’s so talented. But I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think it would be that nice a goal,” said Oiler defenceman Vincent Desharnais. Reaching the century mark Draisaitl, who has a point in all 11 Oiler playoff games, had two assists in Game 6. That included a clean faceoff win over J.T. Miller right to Evander Kane in the third period, to give him exactly 100 points in his first 60 playoff games. Draisaitl, with 23 points in 11 games this post-season, is the third fastest to get to 100 behind Wayne Gretzky (46 games) and Mario Lemieux (50). “He’s always been good in the playoffs from day one. He’s always been one of the best players in the world and on many nights he is the best player,” said Connor McDavid, who has 96 career playoff points in 60 games. Bearer of bad news Corey Perry has played 206 playoff games (two behind Wayne Gretzky and Jaromir Jagr) but he drew the short straw Saturday as coach Kris Knoblauch put Derek Ryan in Perry’s spot on the third line and Sam Carrick played fourth-line centre. How tough was that on Knoblauch to tell a possible hall of famer he was out, even if Perry hadn’t recorded a point in the previous 10 playoff games? “Very difficult, especially with what he provides to our team,” said Knoblauch. “Not just on the ice but helping the rest of the team, whether it’s with composure, motivating, the intangibles. All the things that don’t show up on the scoresheet. Corey brings a lot of that. But we needed to try and do something different, adding something that Sam was able to do.” Perry’s effectiveness has been hamstrung to a degree because he has no real cycling-the-puck line partner, so he can’t do what he does best, plus he is getting no power play time. Carrick played 10:29, had six hits and won seven of 12 draws. He also got into it with Nikita Zadorov with the six-foot-six defenceman drawing a holding penalty, knocking Carrick’s helmet askew. Zadorov remains a character. He walked into Rogers Place before the game wearing shades as an accessory to his spiffy suit. “I loved Sammy’s game,” said Knoblauch. “It’s been tough keeping him out as long as I had, but the fourth line had been playing so well with Janmark, DR (Derek Ryan) and (Connor) Brown. We trusted them in a lot of key (penalty killing) situations. But Sammy moved right in, with no problem, and the other thing he did was win faceoffs (58 per cent).” No thought of coach’s challenge? Referee Garrett Rank, one of the world’s best amateur golfers — and once on Canada’s national team with PGA winners Corey Connors, MacKenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith — waved off a last-second goal by Evan Bouchard in the first period. The cancer survivor ruled that McDavid had interfered with Silovs even though Teddy Blueger also shoved the Oiler captain. Knoblauch looked at the video replay with the game tied 1-1 and decided to let it go. “I saw last night’s goal that was called off (Dallas’ Matt Duchene was called for a highly-debatable interference on Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev) and I knew there was no chance they would overturn this one,” said Knoblauch. This ‘n that : While Stu Skinner only had 15 shots on the night, his fantastic blocker stop through heavy traffic on Quinn Hughes on the Canucks’ 5-on-3 late in the second was a life-saver with Oilers up 3-1. While Thatcher Demko (lower body injury) has been taking shots in practice, there will be no ride-in-on-a-white horse start in Game 7, according to Tocchet. It’s Silovs all the way. … Hughes continues to play huge minutes (26:12 in Game 6) but the 175-pound likely Norris trophy winner has been pounded physically throughout the playoffs. In this series, despite the CanucksNation howls from the West Coast, he’s being outplayed by Evan Bouchard, but for the Bouchard giveaway that Phil DiGiuseppe scored on in Game 5. Bouchard has outscored Hughes 4-0, is ahead 9-4 in points and is plus-7 while Hughes is plus-1 in the first six games.
Game 6 rout doesn't mean Edmonton Oilers have solved Canuck riddle
The Edmonton Oilers versus the Vancouver Canucks is getting what it, and everyone watching it, deserves. A Game 7. This compelling theatre of epic momentum shifts, dramatic mood swings and last-second heroics all comes down to one final act Monday evening in Vancouver. And despite six games worth of hard evidence, we have no way of knowing how this thing is going to turn out. The two best teams in Canada are answering each other punch for punch After Vancouver held Edmonton without a shot for over 20 minutes to win Game 1, the Oilers respond by outshooting Vancouver 15-2 in the third period to win Game 2. After Evan Bouchard scored with 39 seconds left to win Game 4, J.T. Miller responded by scoring with 33 seconds left to win Game 5. After five one-goal games there was nothing to choose between them. And then came Game 6 . The Oilers seemed on the verge of a night like that in Game 3, where they outshot Vancouver 45-18, hit four goal posts, and somehow lost 4-3. This time they connected on their chances and ran Vancouver out of the rink. Have they finally broken through? After five games of missing chances, hitting iron and being stymied by a Cinderella netminder, is Edmonton ready to pull away for good? Has the law of averages caught up with a Vancouver team that’s been outshot 174 to 132? Or was that just human nature talking? While Edmonton was fighting for survival at home in Game 6, the Canucks knew they had a Game 7 insurance policy in their back pocket. They knew they had one more life to give. That scenario often makes a big difference. Anybody remember the 2006 Stanley Cup Final against Carolina? They Oilers were trailing the series 3-1 and won Game 5 in Carolina and trounced the Hurricanes 4-0 in Game 6 at Rexall Place, holding the visitors to seven shots through 40 minutes. It wasn’t even close. Edmonton had finally broken through. Then along came Game 7 and the rest is misery. Related When the going gets tough, the Edmonton Oilers best gets going: 9 Things Player grades: Edmonton Oilers roll to 5-1 win, force Game 7 in Vancouver So as much as some people might like to think Vancouver’s carriage has turned into a pumpkin, dominating Game 6 might not mean anything in a fresh slate Game 7. “We all are pumped about the way we played, but we need to have short memories,” said Dylan Holloway, the dynamic young winger who arrived just in time to fill out Edmonton’s top six. “Momentum doesn’t really carry over from game to game, we’ve got to focus on the next game, get off to a good start and just play the way we can.” The Canucks have had their moments, too, after all. They shut Edmonton down in Game 1 and looked great in controlling the Oilers in Game 5. There is no reason to think they can’t get there again. “I think the belief is in this room,” said Vancouver’s Brock Boeser. “Obviously, we can play better and we all know that. We’ll regroup and look at what we can do better. It’s just going to come down to who wants it more next game.” “No one said it was going to be easy, but we’ll get another chance on Monday to win one game to make the conference final,” added Elias Pettersson. “I’m excited for it. I know the barn’s going to be loud, the fans are going to be into it and those are the type of games you want to play.” For the first time, Edmonton is going to see what Vancouver looks like when they’re facing elimination and they know full well what kind of boost that’s going to provide. “I’m sure Vancouver doesn’t feel great about their game (Saturday) and they’ll be better for Game 7, just like we didn’t like our Game 5 and we were better in Game 6,” said Connor McDavid. “I expect both teams to elevate heading into a big Game 7 obviously.” We’ve seen the Oilers in this situation many times, whether it was saving their season in November or putting together a 16-game winning streak in January. This team can look underwhelming at times but when it really matters they are wicked good. They will need to get to that level again because a 3-7 record against Vancouver this year tells you it’s going to be a hard night. “A lot of guys have been in this situation before and you have to ride the highs and lows of the playoffs and just try and stay as even-keeled as possible,” said defenceman Darnell Nurse. “We gave ourselves the chance to play one more game and we have to bring the same mindset to Vancouver on Monday.” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet summed it up best. His advice to the Canucks applies to both teams. “It’s a Game 7, people would kill to be in this situation right now and we’ve got to make sure that we act like we want to be in that situation,” he said. “Play like you want to be a hero on Monday, that’s what I think.” rtychkowski@postmedia.com
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When the going gets tough, the Edmonton Oilers best gets going: 9 Things
Saturday’s Game 6 was the most important night for the Oilers franchise in almost two decades. So much was on the line: Facing elimination, the prospect of under-performing pre-season expectations, the last year of the Holland era, just one more year of Leon Draisaitl before UFA-eligibility. Etc. The Oilers answered the bell, delivering their best performance of the post-season. Yet, the circumstances above will play out all over again in a decisive Game 7. That and more on in this edition of… 9 Things 9. Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet confirmed immediately after Game 6 that Thatcher Demko will not play Game 7. Having solved Artus Silovs 5 times in Game 6, has the goaltending momentum suddenly swung back in the Oilers favor? 8. The Oilers have now surpassed what they accomplished last season, when they lost to Vegas in Game 6 of the Pacific Division Final. That is significant considering how they started this season. But none of them will be close to satisfied if they do not go on to win Game 7 on Monday. 7. Under the brightest lights of the season, Hollywood sparkled. Dylan Holloway, the game’s Third Star, opened the scoring by leaving Elias Patterson in his dust, blowing past Norris Trophy favorite Quinn Hughes like a stiff Alberta breeze, and then tucking a tidy deke 5-hole for the 1-0. He lifted the entire bench and lit up the whole building. 6. Ken Holland has faced criticism for his deadline deals and the relative impact of them. But in fairness, Adam Henrique was good down the stretch for this club. And it is not Holland’s fault that Henrique got injured in Game 5 of the L.A. series and has played only ten minutes since. Sam Carrick, however, jumped into the lineup in Game 6 and made an impact: 6 hits, 58% in the circle. 5. Leon Draisaitl registered his 100th playoff point on Saturday night. Only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux have gotten there faster in the history of the game. Just another way to remind all of us that we are not just privileged to watch one of the best players ever, night-in and night-out. With many chapters yet to be written Leon Draisaitl has already become one of the best clutch players in the game. 4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been through hell with this Edmonton Oilers franchise. The Decade of Darkness had to have been soul-sucking for him. I think the reason he is such a huge fan favorite is because they trudged through it together. So great to see him deliver a First Star performance on Saturday when it mattered the very most: A goal and two assists. 3:34 of perfection shorthanded. Several critical faceoff wins deep in his own zone on those PK’s. 3. Talk about your gutsy moves. Kris Knoblauch went to Calvin Pickard in Games 4 and 5 and was rewarded with two terrific performances. In fact, Cal Pickard was so good, many commentators were strongly in favor of running him out there again in Game 6. Instead, Knoblauch went back to Stuart Skinner. And while Stu was not busy, he was still the best goalie on the ice. Few NHL coaches will voluntarily make that many goaltending changes in the same series successfully. 2. Connor McDavid was pretty good this past season following games in which he had gone pointless. It only happened 13 times. And the Edmonton Oilers were 10-3 in those “after” games. McDavid was 9-18-27 in those 13 games and was +11. Now, make it 11-3, 9-21-30, +14. McDavid and Draisaitl had previously appeared in 8 elimination games in their post-season careers. Each of them had produced at least 1.5 points per game. Connor had 3 points on Saturday, Leon registered 2. 1.Said another way: The Edmonton Oilers best players were the best players on the ice on Saturday night. That is the deciding factor in so many NHL games. And if they can do that again on Monday, the club will be off to Dallas. But let us not kid ourselves. There are sixty hard miles between here and there. The Canucks have proven they are a hell of a good team. There are zero guarantees how this will go. Momentum rarely transfers from game to game in the post season. They tend to be their own, unique, individual chapters. I agree that the pressure will primarily be on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7. Yes, the Canucks finished ahead of Edmonton in the standings. But that was only because the Oilers laid an egg out of the gate. The odds-makers and the majority of the prognosticators had the in 5 or 6 games. But I am not the least bit worried about how those lofty expectations might affect the Oilers in Game 7. You know why? Because the best players thrive on pressure. It is what makes them great. So, bring it on. Drop the puck. Now on Threads @kleavins. Also, find me on Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@mstdn.social . This article is not AI generated. Recently, at The Cult… McCURDY: The Edmonton Oilers force a Game 7 in Vancouver with a 5-1 win STAPLES: Social media reacts to big Oilers win in Game 6 LEAVINS: Oilers pushed to brink in Game 5 loss
SIMMONS SAYS: On second thought, Craig Berube was a good hire for the Maple Leafs
I wanted to dislike the hiring of Craig Berube as head coach of the Maple Leafs. I wanted to call it convenient, all too quick, bringing in a middle-of-the-pack Stanley Cup winner, with an otherwise average coaching record, to take over a club in need of major alterations. Then I started asking people I trust about Berube. People in hockey. People up high. Accomplished general managers and coaches. And I was surprised by their answers. They more than like Berube as a coach. They believe in him. They think his style and his personality might be the complete opposite of that of the fired Sheldon Keefe at a time when opposite may, in fact, be necessary. “Other than the big dogs, who is better than Craig?” asked a lifetime NHL coach in response to a question. “If you’re not going to get (Jon) Cooper and you’re not going to get Lavi (Peter Laviolette) or DeBoer (Peter DeBoer), who’s better? “Craig’s best quality is he builds team. He’s a motivator. He can inspire people to do uncomfortable things. You need that in hockey. He knows the game and he’s a lot more creative than people realize. He’s not a my-way-or-the-highway kind of coach. He’ll work with you. He’ll give you lots of rope. He believes in second chances. “Listen, the value system in Toronto needs to change. It’s going to take a whole coaching staff, not just Craig, to get that done. That’s the commitment here. To get that value system to change and I believe he can do that.” A current high end GM was asked to rate the coaches in the Atlantic Division in order and he went: 1. Cooper, Tampa; 2. Berube; 3. Jim Montgomery, Boston; 4. Paul Maurice, Florida. The ranking more than surprised me. When I asked why he had Berube ahead of Montgomery and Maurice, he said: “presence and leadership. “He has instant credibility in an NHL locker room. He won a Stanley Cup, he knows what he doesn’t know and is comfortable with that. He cares and players care in return. This is the most opposite hire of what I believe Sheldon was.” THIS AND THAT That Berube won a Stanley Cup in St. Louis has basically zero meaning now that he is coaching the Leafs. Randy Carlyle won a Stanley Cup in Anaheim before arriving in Toronto. How’d that one work out? … Toronto Sun hockey writer Terry Koshan pointed out that only one coach in the modern history of the NHL has won a Cup coaching more than one team. And that man happened to be Scotty Bowman … A list of middle-of-the- pack coaches were one-time Cup winners. Among them: Al MacNeil, Jean Perron, Dan Bylsma, Bob Hartley, Terry Crisp, Tom Johnson … Great coaches who haven’t won Cups: Pat Quinn, Roger Neilson, DeBoer, Ron Wilson, Maurice, Alain Vigneault, Bryan Murray, Bruce Boudreau … Curious to have heard the exchange of ideas between Berube and general manager Brad Treliving during the interview process. Wonder what Treliving said when Berube asked: “Who’s our goalie?” or “What are we doing with Mitch Marner?” … The team Berube has agreed to coach may not exactly look like the team on paper in late May … Freddy being Freddy. Where have you seen this before? Freddy Andersen did to the Carolina Hurricanes what he did to the Leafs way too often. He let it in a terrible goal with Carolina leading 3-1 in the third period of Game 6. The series with New York should have gone to a seventh game. The crappy goal — see Leafs vs. Capitals, Leafs vs. Bruins playoff time — is almost impossible to recover from … I give up. I don’t know what goalie interference is anymore, if I ever knew. And I don’t know cross checking is anymore, if I ever knew … My first choice to coach the Leafs, if available, was Joel Quenneville. My second choice, if available, was Rod Brind’Amour. The question of availability is a moving target. A number of teams have approached the NHL of late to inquire about Quenneville’s availability and some have contacted the former coach directly. Still, no word on what it will take to clear him after the sexual assault scandal from Quenneville’s staff with the Blackhawks of 2010. But teams did call the league. Leafs may also have inquired about Brind’Amour’s circumstance before finalizing the decision on Berube. HEAR AND THERE For those counting, this is 11 seasons for Nathan MacKinnon — five of them with Cale Makar and just one Stanley Cup. It tells you, teams win championships in hockey, individuals do not … Anyone who says Valeri Nichushkin quit on the Colorado Avalanche doesn’t comprehend the power of addiction. … “Look who’s left in the playoffs?” a former coach of giant credentials asked me. “Teams coached by Lavi, by Paul Maurice, by Pete (DeBoer) and by (Rick) Tocchet. Never mind retreads. Having that experience matters. And being comfortable in your own skin, that’s very important for a coach.” … When Berube won his Cup, he had Alex Pietrangelo, future Hall of Famer, on defence. When Bruce Cassidy won his Cup in Vegas, he had Alex Pietrangelo. When Carlyle won he had Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer on defence. When Quenneville won he had Duncan Keith. When Darryl Sutter won, he had Drew Doughty. When Cooper won, he had Victor Hedman. Berube now has Morgan Rielly. One of these things is not like the other … There is no evidence to indicate that either Leafs’ captain John Tavares or Marner will waive their no-trade arrangements this summer. But this much we know: If they do waive, there are teams interested in both those players and the prices they’re willing to pay is somewhat surprising … Berube has never coached a player who has scored more than 37 goals in a season. That was Jordan Kyrou, in Berube’s last full season with the Blues. Now coach, meet Auston Matthews … NHL teams still looking for coaches — Winnipeg, Seattle, Los Angeles, New Jersey, San Jose and we’re not sure about Columbus because the Blue Jackets don’t have a general manager … NHL goaltenders have never been better equipped or better prepared to play. But while they’re consumed with technique, too many still don’t know how to read the game or the play. It makes for more great stops and more dubious goals against than ever before … Ed Belfour was the most economical goalie I’ve ever seen up close. He was always square to the puck. He rarely made a great save because he didn’t have to … In my next life, I want to come back as a TSN network programmer. That way two channels won’t have bull riding on at the same time that Overdrive isn’t found on any of the five TSN channels … Love you Darren Dutchyshen. Always have. Always will. Rest well, big man. SCENE AND HEARD Is there anything less meaningful than Ross Atkins talking process and patience? The Blue Jays couldn’t hit last year. They couldn’t score last year. They can’t hit this year. The can’t score this year. His process doesn’t work. My patience is over. The next thing I want to hear Atkins say: “Anybody know a good real estate agent?” … It’s not your money or mine, and there is no salary cap in baseball, but the fact that George Springer is signed for two more seasons at $25 million a pop is almost offensive. The more Springer plays, the worse he plays. All this for $149,176 per game. Springer, by the way, turns 35 in September … The Blue Jays first World Series win in 1992 seems even more impressive when you look back at who was pitching for Atlanta. Hall of famer Tom Glavine started two games. Hall of famer John Smoltz started two games. And 22-year-old ace Steve Avery started two games. The Jays won the Series but scored only 17 runs in six games played … The next year, the Jays scored 45 runs in six games over Philadelphia with should be hall of famer, Curt Schilling making two starts for the Phillies. Roberto Alomar hit .480 in that World Series and Paul Molitor hit .458, scoring 10 runs and knocking in seven others … And since then, no World Series … When Yoshinobu Yamamoto was getting lit up in spring training, the narrative was the Dodgers wasted all that money signing the Japanese free agent. But since the season started Yamamoto has a 4-1 record with a 3.21 earned run average in nine starts in Los Angeles … Next time I hear someone lecturing me about how hard Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits the ball, I will happily point out that Luis Arraez, batting champion of both the American and National Leagues, doesn’t hit the ball very hard and has a .324 lifetime average … If my math works and I hope it doesn’t, the young fireballer Paul Skenes will not pitch in Toronto the weekend the Pittsburgh Pirates are here at the end of the month. Skenes made his second big league start on Friday, pitched six innings, allowed no hits, struck out 11 in Chicago to register his first career win. He’s scheduled to pitch, barring rain-outs, in games before and after the Blue Jays series … After this weekend, Jays play 10 games against the dreadful White Sox and the semi-dreadful Tigers. This is a time to go 8-and-2 and make a push, if there is still a push in it for this Blue Jays club. AND ANOTHER THING The longer it is between the time Vince Carter played for the Raptors and whatever day this happens to be the more the mythology of his time in Toronto changes. It’s as though some of the past has been erased. Carter has been deservedly elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame and will inducted this summer. Toronto basketball voices seem consumed with the notion of the Raptors honouring and possibly retiring his number. The same people, however, don’t seem to mention Chris Bosh, who played 106 more games for the Raptors than Carter did, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2021. Bosh’s jersey shouldn’t be retired. He never won a playoff series as a Raptor. Carter’s jersey shouldn’t be retired either: He never won a best-of-seven series as a Raptor either. What would you be honouring him for? Winning a slam-dunk competition? … It’s pretty clear now that TNT is losing its NBA television rights. What isn’t clear is what happens to the brilliant Inside the NBA show and halftime shows with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith. They’re better than most games … Kind of a sad ending to a great first Toronto season in the PWHL. I watched all five periods of the double overtime loss in Minnesota. The game sounded more spectacular than it actually was … This represents good news for Canada: Jaylen Brunson is not on the U.S. Olympic basketball team and should be. Indiana’s Tyrese Halliburton was chosen ahead of the Knicks scoring star. Brunson is averaging 27 points a game in the playoffs … I’d like to be Scottie Scheffler’s lawyer if the World No. 1 golfer had a bent finger, a hand issue, an elbow problem anything that bothered his golf game after his altercation with police in Louisville on Friday? How big of a cheque would they be writing? … I hope, strictly for entertainment purposes, that Connor McDavid is still alive and well in the Stanley Cup playoffs by the time you wake up Sunday morning … Happy birthday to Reggie Jackson (78), Jari Kurri (64), Archie Manning (75), Kevin Garnett (48), Marty McSorley (61), Connor Hellebuyck (31), Donyell Marshall (51), Bill Laimbeer (67), Rick Cerone (70), Michael Che (41) and Manny Malhotra (44) … And hey, whatever became of Brian Rafalski? Berube will quickly command the respect factor needed to lift Leafs Embattled Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins fails to calm turbulent waters ssimmons@postmedia.com x.com/simmonssteve
Player grades: Edmonton Oilers roll to 5-1 win, force Game 7 in Vancouver
Canucks 1, Oilers 5 One game after Vancouver Canucks played their best game of the series, Edmonton Oilers did the same on their own home ice to live on for at least another day. Facing elimination, the Oilers played a strong defensive game in front of Stu Skinner and provided plenty of goal support along the way, solving Arturs Silovs 5 times on the night. The game was closer than the 5-1 final suggested, but make no mistake that Edmonton was the better club and deserved the result. The Oilers minded their defensive P’s and Q’s for the most part, limiting the visitors to just 15 shots on net compared to 27 the other way. Grade A shots recorded by the Cult of Hockey were a little closer, 11-9 for Edmonton, with Vancouver holding a 4-2 edge in 5-alarm shots. Grade A shots running count For a second straight game both teams failed to connect on the powerplay, with each unable to convert nearly a full minute with a 2-man advantage. Edmonton’s regulars on their PK unit all get a bump in their grade for this game. Player grades #2 Evan Bouchard, 8. Led the team with 22:25 TOI. Had a bit of a slow start, just a smidge off on his passes while mistiming a couple of one-timers. Came on strong as the game went along, earning a point in each period. Earned a pair of secondary assists on good outlet passes, and scored himself with a bomb from 59 feet that overpowered Silovs, then rang the post on its way to the net. Had another (correctly) disallowed due to contact with the goaltender. His boxcars of 1-2-3, +4 would have done Feist proud. Now up to 5-13-18, +10 through 11 playoff games. Contributions to Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strength: +2/-1; Special Teams +1/-0. #5 Cody Ceci, 6. Second among defenders with 20:40 TOI. Rock solid defensively, both at even strength and on the powerplay, with Vancouver mustering just 3 shots in total during that period-plus. 3 shots, 3 hits, and a lot of won battles. GAS: ES +1/-0; ST 0. #10 Derek Ryan, 6. Kept things clean as the Canucks msutered just 1 shot and 0 Grade A’s during his 9 minutes at evens. Also chipped in on the PK, though he served a couple of nervous minutes in the box himself late in the second. GAS: ES +0/-0; ST 0. #13 Mattias Janmark, 6. As with Ryan, sawed off nearly 9 minutes at even strength, and provided 2:38 of fine penalty killing. Oilers were not generating shots on his watch, nonetheless the puck was spending plenty of time in good places far from Edmonton’s net. Continued his running feud with J.T. Miller, resulting in each player spending a couple minutes in the box. GAS: ES +0/-0; ST 0. #14 Mattias Ekholm, 6. Played just 15:24, least of any defender, including none at all in the game’s final 11 minutes. I watched his last shifts for signs of injury but all seemed normal other than he changed up a bit early (and not for the first time). With the Oilers holding a comfortable lead down the stretch and their 34-year-old d-man reportedly dealing with an illness there was no reason to keep running him out there. He did participate in the end-of-game celly. 0 shots, 2 hits, and an impressive +3. His biggest contribution was 5:02 on the first unit penalty kill including all 56 seconds of that 3v5. GAS: ES +2/-1; ST 0. #18 Zach Hyman, 7. Played 20:55, fired 4 shots on net. Most important was the delayed-release slot shot that he powered through Silovs to put Edmonton up 2-1 midway in the second, and which stood up as the game winner. His league-leading 10th of the playoffs. GAS: ES +4/-0; ST 0. #25 Darnell Nurse, 6. Played an active and effective game. 4 shots, 2 blocks, 3 hits. Among those beaten on the lone Vancouver goal. Put out a few fires and logged a team-high 29 shifts, though just 19:21 TOI. GAS: ES +1/-2; ST 0. #27 Brett Kulak, 6. Played 17:55, all but 6 seconds of it at even strength. Vancouver attempted quite a few shots during his time but only 4 of them got through to the netminder. Kept things simple on a largely effective pair with Ceci. GAS: ES +0/-1; ST 0. #28 Connor Brown, 6. The only Oiler below 10 minutes, though close at 9:47. Not much happened on his watch, none of it bad. GAS: +0/-0; ST 0. #29 Leon Draisaitl, 8. Took an early interference penalty for no good reason, but got his considerable game going thereafter. Fine head-man pass to Holloway for the first goal. Cleanly won faceoff on the fifth. In the process reached the 100-point milestone in just his 60th career playoff game, third fastest all-time behind only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Had several shooting opportunities but couldn’t find the range. Excellent defensively: Oilers dominated the shot clock 11-1 during his 13 minutes at 5v5. GAS: ES +4/-0; ST 0. #37 Warren Foegele, 6. Sawed off at even strength, giving up practically nothing. Like many Oilers, gets a bonus grade for his fine work on the PK. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST 0. #39 Sam Carrick, 5. Drew into the line-up in place of Corey Perry and delivered 10½ uncompromising minutes, delivering 6 hits in the process. Drew a penalty with a hard forecheck. A team best 7/12=58% on the faceoff dot. GAS: ES +0/-2; ST 0. #55 Dylan Holloway, 8. Electrified Rogers Place with a brilliant goal to open the scoring. Powered through Vancouver’s defence, sequentially beating Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek and Silovs before powering the puck home from close range. Was part of the big screen that blinded Silovs on the 5-1. Oilers owned a 12-2 shot advantage during his 12 minutes at 5v5. 3 shots off his own stick, 2 more blocks at the other end which is emerging as something of a specialty. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST 0. #71 Ryan McLeod, 5. Played a few ticks under 15 minutes. Mostly effective, though he did get turned inside out by Pettersson in the build-up to Vancouver’s lone goal. 1 shot, 3 hits, solid on the kill. GAS: ES +2/-2; ST 0. #73 Vincent Desharnais, 6. Led the Oilers with 5 hits and also with 5:21 on the penalty kill, where he was outstanding. He too was unable to contain Nils Hoglander’s 2 shots that produced the lone Vancouver goal. GAS: ES +0/-3; ST 0. #74 Stu Skinner, 8. Got the crease back after a 2-game rest with zero room for error, and responded with an excellent performance. Didn’t face a lot of shots but quite a few dangerous ones. The best of his saves was a blocker stop of a seeing-eye wrister by Hughes during Vancouver’s 5-on-3 in the last minute of the second frame. Game changer. Saved 1.8 goals above expected. 15 shots, 14 saves, .933 save percentage. #91 Evander Kane, 8. All over it with 8 shot attempts, 4 on net, including a wicked drive through a multi-player screen to close out the scoring. Made a fine stretch pass to Draisaitl for an excellent chance. 7 hits to lead the Oilers. Went where angels fear to tread all night long, including a few more one-on-one battles with the gigantic Nikita Zadorov. GAS: ES +2/-0; ST 0. #93 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 9. Touched the game in all areas, playing 21:04 to lead the forwards. Set up both second-period goals, then scored the 4-1 himself by going hard to the net and outworking big Carson Soucy to tap home McDavid’s pass. Outstanding on the penalty kill (3:34), including the entirety of that crucial 56-second 3v5. GAS: ES +3/-2; ST 0. #97 Connor McDavid, 8. Bounced back from a subpar game in Vancouver, delivering primary assists on the second, third and fourth goals that basically put this one away. 2 shots, 2 hits, 2 takeaways. His one bad moment was a careless high-sticking penalty in the opening frame. His contact with Silovs negated an apparent Oilers goal, but it would never have gone in had not McD been marauding in the blue paint in the first place. GAS: ES +5/-1; ST 0. Recently at the Cult of Hockey McCURDY: Skinner gets the net back for Game 6 STAPLES: Changes in the works for Game 6 STAPLES: Secret sauce from each Oilers player to avoid Game 6 elimination McCURDY: Ekholm, Draisaitl, Kane — Maintenance Men by day, difference makers by night LEAVINS: 9 Things Player grades LEAVINS: Game 5 — Canucks 3, Oilers 2 STAPLES: Game 4 — Oilers 3, Canucks 2 McCURDY: Game 3 — Canucks 4, Oilers 3 STAPLES: Game 2 — Oilers 4, Canucks 3 (OT) LEAVINS: Game 1 — Canucks 5, Oilers 4 Follow me on X-Twitter @BruceMcCurdy
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Edmonton Oilers put boots to Vancouver Canucks to force Game 7
You didn’t think the Edmonton Oilers were going to go away that easily, did you? With their backs to the abyss and their playoff lives flashing before their eyes, the Oilers delivered a resounding show of force Saturday, reminding the Vancouver Canucks, and anyone else who doubted them, that they are a long way from dead. After struggling for offence the last three games, Edmonton broke out hard in Game 6, with Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evan Bouchard counting for three points each in a season-saving 5-1 triumph. “I thought the boys were ready from the start,” said winger Dylan Holloway, who opened the scoring on one of the nicest goals of the series. “We obviously knew what was at stake tonight. There were probably a bit of nerves, but once we kind of got settled in we played our game and rolled all four lines and never looked back. “We felt we were the better team for most of the series, we just couldn’t capitalize on our chances.” This time they did. After five one-goal games, this one was a rout. “I thought we did a good job of getting in on the forecheck and holding on to pucks and playing in their zone, making them defend and making it hard for them to work up the ice,” said McDavid. “I thought we played faster, we played cleaner, we were better with the puck, better coming through the neutral zone. We did a great job of getting on top of them on the forecheck and keeping pucks alive.” So a series the Canucks had in their grasp after a dominating performance in Game 5 put them up 3-2 with a chance to close things out in Edmonton will now come down a 60-minute war of wills against an opponent that just showed what it’s capable of when it comes face-to-face with the executioner. Game 7 goes Monday in Vancouver. “It’s nothing to be satisfied or excited about,” McDavid said of the Game 6 effort. “We just bought ourselves another day. I would expect the same level of urgency and desperation from our group and I would expect Vancouver to play a better game as well. “I expect a highly competitive, great Game 7.” Saturday night at Rogers Place was the Oilers at their best. They stayed tight defensively, were hard on the puck, outshot the Canucks 21-10 by the time the contest was out of reach and finally got to Vancouver goalie Arturs Silovs, striking a big psychological blow heading into Game 7. “We capitalized, that’s the key,” said Hyman, who scored his playoff-leading 10th goal. “We’ve had looks all series but we beared down on our chances and made good on them. Y ou have to get guys to the dirty areas and the blue paint and make it uncomfortable. “And t he more looks you get, just by nature you’re going to score more and I think we did a good job of producing more looks tonight and then capitalizing.” The first-period storm of desperation one might have expected from an Oilers team facing elimination never really came — Holloway scored on a great individual rush at 8:18 and the Canucks tied it when Nils Hoglander replied at 10:03. A 1-1 tie after 20 wasn’t a very good sign for a team fighting for its life on home ice. But the storm did come. Edmonton came to life in the second period, outshooting Vancouver 14-5 and opening up a 3-1 lead on goals from Hyman and Bouchard. “We’ve got off to some good stretches and then let them back into it in the series,” said Holloway. “Tonight we played a full 60. We got off to a hot start and got some goals and even when they came back to make it 1-1, we didn’t waver at all. We kept to our game.” An early marker from Nugent-Hopkins and one from Evander Kane closed the deal and forced a deciding Game 7. After Saturday night, the Oilers like their chances. “I thought we responded pretty well tonight,” said defenceman Vincent Desharnais. “This group has been through lots of adversity throughout the season. Even though we have a lot of skill but we have hard workers and if we can match their compete level in Game 7 it will be a good one for us.” NET RESULTS With Edmonton’s life on the line in Game 6, head coach Kris Knobauch made the bold, if not curious, pre-game decision to start Stuart Skinner in goal ahead of Calvin Pickard. So starting somebody who they hope had found his game over somebody who’s been excellent is a call that could have easily backfired, but Skinner is the guy they’ve invested their future in and he has shown an ability to rebound after a bad stretch, so they decided to live or die with their No.1 goalie. And he didn’t let them down. Skinner didn’t face a lot of shots but made all the saves he needed to. “ Every save he made he made it look pretty easy,” said Desharnais. “He didn’t have that many shots, but there were some Grade A’s and some screened shots. I’m not surprised the way he played tonight. He proved tonight that we can trust him.” SPECIAL TIMES The Oilers got some clutch penalty killing in the first period after Draisaitl and McDavid took minors and also closed out an extended five-on-three power play late in the second and early in the third to preserve a two-goal lead. “I thought our penalty kill was outstanding again, keeping momentum on our side,” said Hyman. “If they score a goal there, things are a little different obviously. It’s 3-1 and we get a huge 5-on-3 kill to start the third and we go out and score the next one and that’s the dagger obviously.” E-mail: rtychkowski@postmedia.com
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NHL notes: Paul Maurice and Florida Panthers head to Big Apple for Round 3 of NHL playoffs
Wayne Gretzky was still active for the Rangers the last time New York met the Florida Panthers in a playoff series. That was about the only memorable part for the Cats who lost that 1997 duel to the Rangers in five games. Florida coach Paul Maurice was trying to study as much as he could about his Eastern Conference final opponent the morning after dispatching the Boston Bruins, with a few days to prep for Game 1 Wednesday in Manhattan. The experience factor is the Cats’ corner with a trip to the Stanley Cup final last year and now two rounds through this spring. But the Rangers finished first overall, splitting two late-season games against the Panthers. “You’ve watched (New York beating Washington and Carolina) in between our games and see they’re very fast, very talented team, very dynamic off of the rush,” Maurice said Saturday. “They’ve got all the (key) spots, the goaltending, four at the back end very strong and the forwards are very skilled. We have to go a little longer, maybe more detailed on the video.” Maurice’s team is halfway back to another shot at the Cup. He credited his leadership group for not bringing any negativity into training camp. “They came back more determined, or they felt they were closer and had that belief when they came back. They haven’t been tired. We had three really important pieces of our lineup (forward Sam Bennett and defencemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour) out at the start, so we had to play well defensively. We battled hard and got some consistency,” One coaching quirk involving Maurice and New York’s Peter Laviolette, they both coached the Carolina Hurricanes and replaced each other in the early 2000s. Laviolette won the Cup in 2006 with the Canes in place of Maurice after Maurice, who git as far as the ’02 final, then Maurice in a second stint, bumped Laviolette. SELKE LOVE FOR SASHA It would have been quite the feat for Toronto’s Auston Matthews to lead the NHL with 69 goals and be named its best defensive forward as winner of the Frank Selke Trophy. Voters from the Professional Hockey Writers Association thought enough of Matthews’ shot blocking, takeaways and faceoff prowess to make him a finalist, but gave the award to Aleksander Barkov of the Panthers in a Saturday night announcement. Carolinas Barkov, a three-time nominee and first Panther to get the honour, assisted Florida in tying for first in the league in goals-against per game (2.41), the lowest mark in club history. He took a team-leading 1,100 draws with a winning percentage of 57.3%, ninth among players to play at least 50 games and take at least 500 face-offs. Carolina’s Jordan Staal was the other finalist. CHIEF AND THE CAPTAIN Maple Leafs captain John Tavares will now have to get used to his third coach in six years in Toronto with Carig Berube’s appointment. “Obviously very difficult so see (Sheldon Keefe) go,” Tavares told reporters Saturday in Prague where he’s wearing the ‘C’ for Canada at the world championships. “As players, it’s on us to do a better job. With Craig coming in he’s going to help us with that. I’m excited to work with him. He’s got a tremendous pedigree.” More information about who Berube might have as his Toronto assistants could come out Tuesday when he’s officially introduced. One member of his St. Louis staff from the 2019 Stanley Cup year, Mike van Ryn, is already working in Toronto. Steve Ott, his other primary assistant on the Blues, stayed put and is now with Team Canada as an assistant. Guy Boucher, Dean Chynoweth and Manny Malhotra are the other assistants who worked with Keefe. TEAM USA LIKES MIKE Canada and the other hockey powers now know which coach of a well-known foe they’ll face at the Four Nations Face-off next year and in the 2026 Olympics in Italy. USA Hockey announced Saturday that Mike Sullivan, two-time champion behind the bench of the Pittsburgh Penguins, will get the gig. Sullivan’s two Cups in 2016 and ’17 are part of an 11–year record of 445-275-115 and he was an assistant for the Americans in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Canada has named its management staff for the Four Nations, to be played in February in Canada and the U.S. with Finland and Sweden as a replacement for the all-star game, but not its coach. Berube will quickly command the respect factor needed to lift Leafs Craig Berube's past Stanley Cup success won't necessarily result in championship for Maple Leafs lhornby@postmedia.com X: @sunhornby
"He was ripe for the picking": Social media reacts to big win for Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner
It ended with Connor McDavid praising him and with Sportsnet’s Kevn Bieksa, a Vancouver Canuck alumni, still doubting him. But all that mattered for Edmonton Oiler goalie Stuart Skinner was he got the win. In the biggest game of the season, the Edmonton Oilers went with Skinner in net over Calvin Pickard. It was an interesting and controversial decision, causing the usual storm of commentary on social media and in the mainstream media. Here’s how it’s played out on social media, starting with Oilers insider Bob Stauffer on Oilers Now on Friday, strongly hinting that Pickard would be replaced in net by Skinner. Bob Stauffer, Oilers Now I think hypothetically there’s a strong possibility we might see Stuart Skinner start tomorrow. Sportsnet commentator Elliotte Friedman (later that evening) Rest up, everyone. Big one tomorrow night. Game 6 Canucks/Oilers. I’m thinking Stuart Skinner for Edmonton Game Day morning Daily Face-off commentator Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli We’ll see what develops this morning, but the belief is these are the changes for #Oilers:Stuart Skinner starts Game 6. Sporstnet Vancouver commentator Brook Ward @brookwardsports Skinner: 12GA on 58 shots .793% in series… .877% in 8 playoff games this season. The Cult of Hockey’s David Staples @dstaples If today’s game was an election campaign, I would rally around the “Stick with Pick” side. But not an election. Just one guy has a vote. Here is hoping Coach Knoblauch nailed it. And good luck to Skinner. He has had big games before. Bring it! Sportsnet Vancouver commenator Mike Halford @MikeHalford604 “stu has been our guy all year,” knoblauch said. “assuming you don’t count our last seven periods of competitive hockey.” Oilers fan St.Albert James @RealCNN I love Carrick in for Perry but Skinner in this year’s playoffs is absolute madness. I’d be playing Campbell over Skinner at this point. Oilers fan Arpeggi @TheWeirdestFish If Skinner lets in a single soft goal, it’s all over. I don’t have the confidence he’d be able to weather that in his fragile state. Game day at practice Edmonton Oilers @EdmontonOilers “I’m very excited to get back in the net.” Skinner speaks ahead of starting in tonight’s Game 6. The Cult of Hockey’s Bruce McCurdy Skinner has had his struggles in the postseason for the second year in a row, especially in the current Vancouver series. He played the first 8 periods, allowing 12 goals on just 58 shots for a miserable .793 save percentage. Backup Calvin Pickard mopped up in Game 3, then played the entirety of Games 4 and 5 as the two teams split a pair of 3-2 decisions. Oilers fan Matt Henderson Arch @Archaeologuy Nothing scares me more than going back to Skinner. Oilers fan Sumit Tripathi @Sumit_Tripathi_ Skinner absolutely the right choice. We live or die by Skinner Oilers fan Lauren 🩲 @lllaurenA Skinner needs to bring Roloson energy tonight. Cause if he brings Conklin energy, might as well book that tee time now. CHED commentator Shaye Ganam @ShayeGanam Careers aren’t often made or lost in a single game. But a single game can definitely be a defining moment in a career. Good and bad. Here’s hoping local kid Stuart Skinner is lights out tonight. Pressure makes diamonds. Oilers fan Captain Jack 🏴☠️ @OilersJack Unpopular Opinion: Starting Starting Stuart Skinner Tonight is so f*cking ballsy that I actually like it. Oilers fan Tyson Munro @Tys35 Stating my opinion now so I can’t use revisionist history after the fact: I believe going back to Skinner is the right choice. I’m fully prepared to be wrong 🤷🏻♂️ Pre-game Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman Back in Game 3, Skinner gave up four goals in 15 shots…One of the things I think was a big deal was Skinner’s reaction after goals. He sagged noticeably… One of the things that Oilers have worked with Skinner on is not looking so defeated after he’s scored on. But he regressed that night. It’s not 1A and 1B for me. He’s your starter and Pickard is way below. Sportsnet Kevin Bieksa It’s definitely the right decision to put him back in… I still think you should have went back to him in Game 5. He is your #1. He’s your ride or die. Sportsnet Luke Gazdic This is an opportunity for Stu to kind of right the narrative about his playoff success and kind of silence the critics a little bit. But I love this decision. He’s your guy and you go with him. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch A tough decision with the way Picks had played obviously but looking on our season on the line and seeing what Stu has done for us this season. Since I’ve been here he’s looked like an elite goaltender with Vezina-like numbers. And right now we need a big game from him and we’re going with him. Sportsnet Kelly Hrudey I struggled with this a tiny bit. I was thinking Pickard probably deserves a chance but my gut was always telling me that it’s going to be this guy, Skinner. He deserves it. He’s their #1 guy. For Skinner, I hope that he feels like he doesn’t have to be perfect. I think that having. a clean first period is very important. First period Hoglander goal, Oilers 1, Canucks 1 Dustin Nielson @nielsonTSN1260 How does Hoglander get that open for TWO cracks at it. Oilers fan Dr. van Nostrand @DrvanNostrand39 It’s absolutely too much to ask for a big save from Skinner. Oilers fan Karman Gill @Kgill39 McLeod and Nurse left a nobody player wide open. Do these guys even want to win? Oilers fan Jason Buzzell @buzzilinear Three standing there in the slot. Canucks sticks in there and bury him. It’s the series difference every year. Grades A shots first period, 4: Garland, 1525, side of net (save); Hoglander, 958 (save); Hoglander, 957 (goal); Lindholm, 210 (save). Sportsnet’s Kelly Hrudey They (Vancouver) let him (Skinner) off the hook. The big question going into it, is he going to be nervous? And it was answered in the first period. He had a bunch of moments. It was OK early on but he didn’t have any dangerous shots, only four shots he faced in the entire period. So I thought Vancouver, they should have been bombarding him. It’s not like he’s brimming with confidence right now. And it was just way too easy of a period for Skinner. Second Period Canucks Army blogger Wyatt Arndt @TheStanchion Greasy game or not, Skinner does not look comfortable in net and the Canucks are not testing him at all right now. Second period tilting the ice for Edmonton right now, Vancouver staring at some headlights and not moving Canucks Army blogger Vancouver Wyatt Arndt Canucks power play is actively losing them this game. Lack of urgency is incredible. Cannot stress enough that Stuart Skinner is who you are shooting on. Just put the puck on net. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman That Skinner blocker on Hughes was massive for him and for the team Oilers fan Stan Gilbert @Snideguy Was he using the force on that save?! Vancouver Sun hockey writer Ben Kuzma @benkuzma Skinner with PK blocker deny on Hughes. Period ends. Van outshot 14-5 in second frame. #Canucks TNT commentator Paul Bissonnette@BizNasty2point0 Incredible stop by Skinner with the blocker. That’s the big one he needed. Let’s see if the Oilers can keep locking it down the last 20. Monday night in Vancouver would be electric. Sportsnet commentator Craig Simpson They (Canucks) have really let Skinner off the hook early on, haven’t really tested him and forced him to be great. Grades A shots second period, 1: Hughes, 39. Third period Oilers fan Oilers Ent @oilers_ent Coach Knob was right to put in Skinner. I was wrong to question it. The team played better in front of him tonight. It was a good show. Game Seven here we come. 👍🏼 Oilers fan Tyson Munro Skinner did exactly what was needed of him tonight. Great win. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid We were solid in front of Stu. Not many shots but the ones they did get I thought were dangerous. He did a great job stepping up… We never had a doubt. Honestly, he’s a battler and he’s always been a battler.” Sportsnet’s Bieksa What did Skinner have, like seven shots on net after two (periods)? And Kelly Hrudey said, ‘It’s not like he was beaming with confidence.’ The Canucks just let him off the hook by playing a very simple passive game… They had very few shifts where they were in the Edmonton zone and peppering Skinner. And he was ripe for the picking. Grades A shots second period, 1: Suter, 853 (save), Pettersson, 751 (post), Cole, 628 (save), Hronek, 459 (save) At the Cult of Hockey we had the Grade A shots 12 for nine for Edmonton, with the subset of more dangerous 5-alarm shots Edmonton two, Vancouver four. At the Natural Stat Trick, expected goals ere 2.8 for Vancouver, 2.7 for Edmonton. My own bottom lines? Skinner’s task wasn’t to shut down his doubters. It was to shut down his own doubts. With that monster save on Quinn Hughes — a game-changing moment — mission accomplished, I suspect. As for Bieksa’s comment, that’s excellent bulletin board material for Skinner. A huge win for Edmonton, for the Oilers, for Skinner, and one that should set up Skinner to be all the more ready for Game 7.