6 days. 5 losses. That’s all it took for the Edmonton Oilers to fall into the second place on the Pacific Division which they were leading so far. In a matchup of two NHL giants between the Oilers and the Florida Panthers, the anticipation was already high. It being a rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finale, the 6-5 Dec loss, and their final meeting for the season unless they lock horns again in the 2025 Stanley Cup only added to the excitement on whether Edmonton will be able to take revenge. But seems like the Oilers are running a little dry on their luck whenever it comes to the Florida Panthers. The history is repeating itself.

Arguably anyone would say that the 2024 Stanley Cup Series did not make them move to the edge of the seats. Breaking multiple standing records, the two teams fought against each other in a cut-throat 4-3 series with Florida taking the trophy. But how they reached their was worth keeping a memory of. In an easy sweep, the Panthers won the first three games with the home advantage in the best of seven series. However, just like the Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm says, “We’re in a bit of a hole right now as a team, and it’s about resiliency. It’s about sticking with it,” the team did just that. Forcing game five, they avoided becoming the first team since 1998 to be swept in a championship game. But they repeated the heroics again to win the fifth game, and then again in the sixth to ultimately force a game seven in the Stanley Cup, becoming the first team since Detroit Red Wings in 1945 to do so in the Finals. But, as the case has been for some time now, they lost game 7 by a margin of just one point. Something that they saw repeating again in both their season game against the Panthers. And if defense wins the matchups, well, the Oilers need to figure things out as they ended their night 4-3 and their 5th straight defeat.

It was a night that saw frustrations boil over and tensions rise as the team struggled defensively, and offensive firepower just couldn’t bail them out. A bad omen for the playoffs? Still too soon to tell as they still hold a good position, seven points ahead of their Western Conference rivals Vancouver Canucks. But at the moment, with a 34-21-4 record, things aren’t looking too hot for the Oilers either. Understandably, the fans have also expressed their frustrations, just as their star player did…

Following their latest defeat against the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena, Oilers star Leon Draisaitl lost his temper. Visibly so. Gino Hard media posted a clip on their X account that captured Draisaitl kicking the bench door while heading towards the dressing room after the loss. His reaction said it all, as the Oilers struggle to get out of this rut.

Not only were his frustrations on full display, but Draisaitl also appeared to glare at goaltender Stuart Skinner before storming down the tunnel with his teammates. If you are thinking about why that may be, well if you remember, the Oilers gained control of the puck in the dying 15 seconds of the game and even skate it out into the Panthers’ zone. However, Skinner did not go back to the bench to let an attacker come onto the ice which just might have helped the team win at home.

In fact, former NHL star Jason Strudwick mentioned the same last night on Got Yer Back podcast, “I’m not in the building, I wasn’t on the ice, but I watched it in real time. My impression was that Leon said something to Skinner because he didn’t come to the bench to add the extra attacker. I might be way off, but in real time, I felt that Leon may have looked over his shoulder and said something to Skinner there.”

Although Skinner wasn’t awful against the Panthers, it’s true that his overall form in recent games has left a lot to be desired. In the league, he’s 32nd for goals against average, with a 2.87 GAA, and 33rd for save percentage with a .898 SV%. These are not good numbers for a team so heavily favored to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup come summer.

However, the goaltender seemingly looks positive to improve on an individual as well as team level as he said, “Every year brings up different battles, different adversities for us. This is another one where we get to kind of figure it out as a new team here. It’s going to obviously take all of us chipping in together, talking to each other about what we can do better. Sometimes you gotta go through the crap.”

Top Comment by Mugsdano

Yup get a goalie binnington. an two rough. Tough defense men ..oleksiak n savard. Been saying this for...more

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It’s understandable why Leon Draisaitl is so frustrated. After all, he’s on the other end of that spectrum. Even during the tough 5-loss stretch, he has given his best with 6 goals across the span. The 29-year-old extended his NHL goals lead to 11 with his 44th goal in this loss. Only adding to his greatness on the ice, it was his seventh consecutive game goal.

Apart from that, he’s the league leader for goals, with 44, and in second place for points, with 88, only two points off Nathan MacKinnon. When you’re putting up these kinds of numbers, doing everything you can to push your team over the line, only for these efforts to be invalidated? Well, it can’t be the best feeling.

But what can the Oilers do to improve? Well, the NHL trade deadline is only a week away on 7 March—a good time to consider bringing in reinforcements. According to Sportsnet, the Oilers, though they initially weren’t looking for a goaltender, may consider making a move for Jordan Binnington, who is reportedly on the market. However, it is still not a priority for them according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun. He believes, “It’s [a trade] not that likely at the moment,” LeBrun explained Tuesday on Insider Trading. 

“It’s not a priority discussion within that Oilers front office for a very specific reason. I don’t think the Oilers look at the goalies available on the market right now and say there’s a guy that’s an absolute guaranteed upgrade over Stuart Skinner. Of course the Oilers know that Skinner can play better and is going to need to play better. But they look at his playoff pedigree and feel that that guy is there and will be there.”

Nevertheless, they have their eyes and conversations open with the Anaheim Ducks and Utah Hockey Club if they do want to replace Skinner, per LeBrun.

Frustrations are rising from all corners for Skinner with lack of consistency, weak lateral movement, and costly late 3rd period goals since last season as he continues to fail to inspire much confidence from their fans and now, they believe the team has to make some kind of change.

Fans react to Leon Draisaitl’s frustration

Albeit slumping performances, head coach Knoblauch has all the confidence in his team. After the loss, he mentioned, “I think the guys competed really hard on the walls and around the net. I thought we had some pretty good performance by some guys, but to get out of funk like this, when things aren’t going well and guys are really feeling it or really squeezing their sticks, we need everybody.” But the sentiments are not resonating, not with the fanbase at least.

The Oilers lack effort and intensity in their current games, as one fan wrote, “They did not dig in tonight 😭😭😭,” expecting a more gritty showing from their team. The Oilers simply did not exhibit a strong enough will to win, and fans could sense it.

They even went on to discuss the changes the team needs at this point. Naturally ‘Goaltender’ was a priority position for fans, as one wrote, “Oilers need Gibson.” Considering the options, Oilers fans may very well see Gibson as an upgrade on Skinner, and one they wouldn’t oppose. Another target they can mark is Jordan Binnington, who is apparently available.

But here comes a critical response—“About time Leon got mad. I think Connor has already checked out. After seeing what a real team looks like, what an average goalie can do, he’s had enough with carrying this ‘team.’ The Oilers need to fire their goalie coach and get new goalies.” For them, it looked like their captain was unable to readjust to playing with the Oilers after playing on the star-studded Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off despite 73 points in his bag. And despite an offensive powerhouse in Connor and Leon, Edmonton does not need a goalie to keep them up and running for the Stanley. However, it cannot hurt to have a good defense as well.

So, Draisaitl’s emotional reaction came as a welcome response during a time when McDavid’s investment in the team was looking suspect. So far, he has only grabbed 20 points in the last 19 games. With his current averages, he is on pace for 107 points, his personal lowest since 2020-21 complete season. But ultimately, the problems boiled down to a single cause: the goaltender. “Ya…t…they need a goalie. They have for a long time,” wrote one fan.

However, there was also a lot of commiseration about Draisaitl’s situation. “I’d be pissed off too,” said a fan. If the Oilers want to remain Cup contenders, something has to give. When their competitors have goalies like Connor Hellebuyck, on track for his second Vezina Trophy, and Logan Thompson, currently having a stellar, career-best season, it’s clear that Skinner’s form might not hold up. But will the Oilers act on their problem? Can Skinner be trusted to bring back his fierce form in the playoffs? With one week left till the trade deadline, we’ll find out soon enough. As for the team, they will continue their East coast swing at PNC Arena on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes.