The Edmonton Oilers need to kick off their five-game homestand on the precise observe after they host the surging Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night time.
The Oilers carry some momentum into Tuesday’s conflict after Stuart Skinner’s 26-save shutout in Edmonton’s important 4-0 blanking of the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.
A robust goaltending efficiency got here on the excellent time for an Oilers squad that has allowed three or extra targets in 19 of their 26 video games this season.
“I believed it was good.” Skinner remarked following Saturday’s street win. “I used to be in a position to play a stable recreation, however I believed you may see that from all people. I believe this was one of many video games the place we had been in a position to play a very stable 60-minute recreation.”
Alongside Skinner’s shutout, the Oilers high canine got here to play with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins all accumulating a aim and an help within the victory.
Draisaitl prolonged his level streak to eight video games (5 targets, eight assists). Nugent-Hopkins impressed in his return after lacking the earlier 9 video games with an undisclosed harm.
“That is the way you wish to reply, no query about it,” Nugent-Hopkins mentioned. “However now we stay up for the following one on Tuesday. We’ll take a day to get somewhat relaxation, after which again at it on Monday, however that is the way you wish to reply. It reveals numerous good issues for our group.”
The Wild will likely be eyeing a return to the win column, the place they’d discovered themselves in seven straight video games earlier than Saturday’s 3-2 shootout defeat at dwelling to the Buffalo Sabres.
The Wild, who open a four-game Western street journey Tuesday, had been driving excessive coming into Saturday following Friday’s gutsy 3-2 shootout win over the division-leading Colorado Avalanche.
“Anybody can beat anybody on any given night time, that is why it is the toughest league on the planet,” mentioned Wild coach John Hynes when talking in regards to the classes his staff can take away from Saturday’s loss. “I believe while you take a look at these two issues, Colorado had the identical recreation that we had (Friday) night time and so they got here again out and so they beat Montreal (Canadiens) fairly good after which we weren’t at our greatest tonight. Not what it was (Friday) night time.”
“So, to me, that is the place we bought to develop as a staff.”
Wild star forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy every scored within the win, with Kaprizov extending his level streak to seven video games (seven targets, two assists).
Regardless of the shootout loss, the Wild stretched their level streak to 11 video games (9-0-2).
Goaltending has been a key cog within the Wild’s latest run, permitting greater than three targets simply as soon as over their previous 14 video games and accumulating 4 shutouts throughout that stretch.
Filip Gustavsson made 30 saves in Saturday’s loss, however hasn’t been alone in Minnesota’s crease with 23-year-old Jesper Wallstedt being one of many NHL’s hottest netminders.
Minnesota’s 2021 first-round decide has posted a 7-0-0 file throughout his previous seven begins, whereas compiling three shutouts.
Edmonton has gained every of the earlier two conferences, the newest a 5-3 street victory Jan. 15, 2025.
–Discipline Stage Media
