Oilers Beat Kings Behind Skinner’s Shutout, McDavid’s Birthday Goal

The Edmonton Oilers started slowly but found their game after their goaltender kept them in what turned out to be a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. Stuart Skinner was stellar, and Connor McDavid scored the lone goal of the game on his birthday.

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Another slow start was not ideal for the Oilers, but a dominant second period swung momentum in their favor. McDavid scored the game’s only goal, cashing in on a rebound from a title angle. It wasn’t exactly the offensive explosion predicted in a previous post, but it was a goal and a fitting birthday gift.

Stuart Skinner, the First Star of the Game

Goaltender Stuart Skinner was the best player on the night, stopping all 30 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season. It was the sixth of his NHL career. It was clear he was dialed in as his biggest save came early in the game when he denied Adrian Kempe on a 2-on-1 chance. He got just enough to have the puck bounce up on top of the net. Leon Draisaitl praised Skinner post-game, saying, “Really big save, great timing. Gives us a chance to find our legs and get into the game. He was great tonight.”

Big Two Points Against a Rival in the Kings

The win not only gave the Oilers two crucial points and moved them up the standings, but it also showed that they could win in a low-scoring affair. For the first time in a long time, the Oilers outhit an opponent. Both teams will remember the limited chances and their willingness to play physically if they meet in the playoffs again.

With a remarkable 17-4-1 record over their last 22 games, Edmonton now holds the best record in the NHL since late November. They are creeping up on the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights.

Oilers Can’t Score On Empty-Net Goals

An odd takeaway from the game was a reminder of just how bad the Oilers have been at scoring on empty-net goals when the other teams pull their netminder. The Oilers are struggling to put teams away and not cashing in on empty-net chances.

McDavid hit a post and then Draisaitl gave up a chance to score in the dying seconds.

Monday’s win against a tough Kings opponent is another solid outcome for a team that is playing well and getting valuable points when they need them. This was a close game all the way through, with each team putting up 30 shots.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Jan 13: Flames, Oilers, Leafs and Canucks