Stuart Skinner is in goal tonight for the Edmonton Oilers vs the Vancouver Canucks for Game 6 of their Western Conference Semi-Final showdown. Tonight’s game will be the Oilers first time facing elimination in the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, in game six, down three games to two to the hard-working and skilled Vancouver Canucks squad coached by Rick Tocchet. Tonight’s action promises to be high energy and impact as the Oilers try to extend the series at home. Look for McDavid and crew to be buzzing. Part of that crew, a depth player, Adam Henrique misses tonight’s game.
Get Ready, Oilers, Canucks, Game 6 from Rogers Arena
Going back with Stuart Skinner, on home ice, is a big deal. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch knows how important tonight’s game is, and wants his best available lineup in. Skinner, coming off some much needed physical, but also mental, rest will boost the Oilers lineup top through bottom. Moreover, Skinner started 57 games for the Oilers in the regular season. He proved this year, that he is a winner, compiling a 36-16-5 record. His career playoff record is above .500 at 10-9. He boasts a .881 SV%, along with a 3.49 GAA. Needless to say, tonight’s result will be possibly a defining moment for Stuart Skinner, Connor McDavid, and the rest of this Edmonton Oiler group.
Having Adam Henrique out of the lineup shouldn’t really hurt the Oilers chances. We say shouldn’t because this lineup should be able to overcome a missing piece. If your roster is so dependent on a trade deadline acquisition to win an elimination game in the playoffs, you might need to do some soul searching as an organization. Furthermore, it is not like the Oilers have been getting blown out without Henrique in the lineup. Game 5 came down to the wire, and was boosted by the rowdy Vancouver fans. Also, Connor Brown is a great fill-in. That includes a beautiful saucer pass he made across the goal late in the first period of Game 5. Mattias Janmark was the lucky recipient, jamming one home on the goal mouth.
What About the Canucks for Game 6 vs the Oilers
For the Vancouver Canucks camp, there is one key item to keep front of mind. They are up 3-2, in the opponent’s rink, losing tonight, does not mean they’ve lost the series. In addition, if they continue to play a confident offensive game, they can find ways to get their top players generating offence. The Canucks gave the Oilers fits in Game 5. After the first period shots were tied 11-11, but Tocchet must have inspired the group. In the second period, needing the team to step up, they did. They outshot the Oilers 17-4, and Phillip Di Guiseppe capped off the dominant period with the crucial 2-2 goal. With that kind of performance, if they can combine that with getting their top players producing, the have something brewing. Like the winner from Game 5, scored by J.T. Miller and assists to Elias Lindholm and Elias Pettersson, their best players, need to be their best players.
Main photo credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
