NHL: Winnipeg Jets at Edmonton Oilers - Source: Imagn — Oilers podcaster commends Stuart Skinner's 'marked improvement' in Oilers' season-first 4-3 victory over Flyers (image credit: IMAGN)

Oilers podcaster commends Stuart Skinner's 'marked improvement' in Oilers' season-first 4-3 victory over Flyers

Modified Oct 16, 2024 19:05 GMT

The Edmonton Oilers experienced what many championship-losing teams go through early in the following season: a hangover. When a team comes close but loses in the final, they often struggle in many ways. They appeared to be suffering that same fate as they lost three games in a row to open the campaign.

They finally broke through with a clutch 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. It was the best all-around game they played so far, and it was partly due to Stuart Skinner's work in goal. He allowed the fewest goals in four games.

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Oilers podcaster Baggedmilk commended Skinner and talked about his performance:

"Skinner didn't give up anything on the final five, and that's an important point to remember in the story of this win," Baggedmilk said, via Oilers Nation on Thursday. "No, the .900 save percentage on 27 saves isn't the world-beating numbers we dream about, but Stu made the saves he needed to make to get the job done, and that's a marked improvement over his first two starts."

If Edmonton is going to return to and potentially win the Stanley Cup Final this year, it's going to take improved goalkeeping. The overtime victory on Wednesday was a start.

Before that, the Oilers lost to the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2, Winnipeg Jets 6-0 and Calgary Flames 4-1. It took an extra period, but they finally barged into the win column.

Oilers' Leon Draisaitl opens up on winning first game of season

Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid created the final two goals against the Philadelphia Flyers. It was Draisaitl's OT goal that sealed their first victory of the season.

Leon Draisaitl won the contest for the Oilers (Imagn)

“We are obviously scratching for some points here early on," Draisaitl said, via Sportsnet on Wednesday. "Any point we can get is big. It was nice to come back and win the game.”

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch simply said his two best players came up clutch in getting the two goals to rescue two points. It was not the start Edmonton dreamed of, but finally getting a win and moving up in the standings is key.