Oilers Face Tough Blow as Skinner Injured in Collision with Rantanen
The Edmonton Oilers took a hard hit in their recent matchup against the Dallas Stars, not just on the scoreboard but on the ice as well. In a tight 4-3 loss, Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner was forced out of the game after a heavy collision with Stars winger Mikko Rantanen during the third period. The incident left Skinner face-down on the ice and ultimately pulled from the game by the concussion spotter.
Corey Perry, who was on the ice at the time, didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration with himself. “I was pissed at myself. I didn’t see what happened,” Perry admitted. “I should never let that happen.” His disappointment was evident as he reflected on the play and the lack of immediate reaction from the team.
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This marks the second time in less than a week that Skinner has been knocked out of a game due to an on-ice collision. Just last Thursday, he left an overtime loss against the Winnipeg Jets after a hit from Gabriel Vilardi, which also went unchallenged by the Oilers. The team now faces serious questions about their physical response and how to protect their key players in critical moments.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged the situation but emphasized the fine line between defending teammates and avoiding costly penalties. “We’ll talk about that internally,” Perry said, while Knoblauch added, “I’m not sure what we can do without taking a major penalty.”
With Skinner out, Calvin Pickard stepped in, making a valiant effort to hold off the Stars. But the Oilers' problems don’t stop there. The team is already struggling with key injuries, most notably missing star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Both players have been sidelined and aren’t expected to return in the immediate future, leaving Edmonton without its two biggest offensive threats.
McDavid, who suffered a lower-body injury against Winnipeg, and Draisaitl, dealing with an undisclosed injury from a game against the Utah Hockey Club, have left a major gap in the Oilers' lineup. The absence of these superstars means a heavier burden on the rest of the roster, and players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have acknowledged the challenge. “I think everybody feels it,” he said. “It’s a chance for everybody to step up and play their game.”
The Oilers now prepare for their upcoming games without Skinner, McDavid, and Draisaitl, a daunting reality as they push toward the playoffs. With a crucial matchup against the Seattle Kraken looming, the team will have to dig deep to stay competitive in the tight Western Conference race. Whether Edmonton can weather this storm and find a way to overcome their injury woes remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—their resilience will be tested like never before.
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