Ahead of Game 6 from Edmonton, Alberta of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Finals set to go tonight versus the Dallas Stars, one thing to keep in mind is that it is well known Edmonton Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch does not like to mess with a winning lineup. And with an incredible 208 career NHL playoff games, the active leader no doubt, no one should know about those type of individual coaches’ nuisances better than Corey Perry. Furthermore, there are other players that are contributing to this Oilers lineup, making it feel much deeper than previous years. Let’s take a look at that depth, and see what is in store for tonight’s action.
The Playoff Veteran Leaders of the Edmonton Oilers Depth
Corey Perry is affectionately known as ‘The Worm’ and he has been an ultimate playoff warrior throughout his career. Despite only one Stanley Cup championship to his name, the 2007 Anaheim Ducks, he recently appeared in three consecutive finals. Most recently was 2022 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the year prior it was the Montreal Canadiens, and in 2020, he was a member of the Dallas Stars. The Stars made it to the finals that year only to lose to the team starting a mini-dynasty, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Moreover, with all those playoff games played, Perry has consistently put up solid offensive numbers.
Perry Has Been Doing It Well for a Long Time
Perry has 53 goals and 72 assists through his playoff career, and the 125 points supplants him eighth among active players in career playoff points. However, the Oilers were concerned they would be without the wily veteran, as he did miss some time in Game 5. With around seven minutes remaining in the first period, Joe Pavelski of the Dallas Stars, hit Perry hard. It appeared to be an injury to his right shoulder or arm area. But Perry would not be denied, and did return in the game’s second period of play. Perry has been effective since getting back into the Oilers lineup against the Stars in Game 4. He really adds to the Oilers depth pieces, who have all been great this post-season.
Corey Perry has gone to the Oilers room after taking a hit from Joe Pavelski. pic.twitter.com/svwcxI1K7T
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 1, 2024
The Remarkable Oilers Playoff Special Teams
One area the depth guys have contributed is on specialty teams, specifically the penalty kill. The Edmonton Oilers have an incredible 25 consecutive successful penalties killed without allowing a goal. Also, from Game 4, a depth piece who is on the penalty kill, Mattias Janmark scored a shorthanded goal. Oddly enough, at the time, it marked the first special teams goal for the series. With all the offensive stardom on either lineup, that is hard to believe. The Oilers thanks to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, have since added a pair of power play markers coming in Game 5.
One more depth name for the Edmonton Oilers contributed these playoffs has been Connor Brown. He actually assisted on the Janmark pk goal, which at the time was in the middle of a three-game point streak for Brown. He’s been playing a regular 10-12 minutes a night in a crucial defensive responsible depth role for the Oilers as they battle the Stars.
Beyond the Edmonton Oilers Depth Guys, their Stars Are Shining
There’s two more Oiler playoff performances we would be remiss if we didn’t touch on. The first being their leader, Connor McDavid. McDavid has four goals and 25 assists this post-season. In addition, he is actually currently on pace to challenge for the record held by number 99, Wayne Gretzky with 31. McDavid has only played 17 games, so if he reaches the finals, and continues near his pace, he will pass Gretzky’s record.
The last Oiler to mention ahead of the possible series clincher is Stuart Skinner. Despite only 19 saves, a few of them were huge amid mad scrambles in Game 5. Yes, the Oilers have done an excellent job insulating Skinner, but he has come up big when needed.
Final Edmonton Oilers Depth Chart Lineup News Ahead of Game 6 vs the Stars
If the Edmonton Oilers are to wrap up the series with the Stars, their depth players will need to continue to come up big. Additionally, after the Florida Panthers punched their own tickets to the Stanley Cup finals last night with a win against New York Rangers, the Oilers will again be in tough. In contrast, if their depth players like Perry, Brown, or Ryan McLeod continue to play hard, they will be difference makers in one way or another.
Main photo credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
