Buffalo Sabres
Viral On-Air Dig From Sabres Commentator Targets Oilers’ Goalie
A Sabres broadcaster sparked backlash after an on-air jab at the Oilers’ goalie. The viral moment has fans debating if he crossed the line.
“Empty net for Edmonton… yeah, it has been most of the night, so what’s the difference?” said Rob Ray, who was doing color commentary for the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night. Ray was taking what has been called everything from “dirty” shot to a downright unneccessary insult at Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner.
The Sabres dominated the Oilers, winning 5-1. At the 4-1 mark, Edmonton pulled Skinner in an attempt get a little closer in the game and possibly mount a comeback. They did not, and the Sabres won 5-1, but Ray saw the opportunity to make a fairly mean joke and took it.
This certainly won’t the last time a broadcast team or member of it takes a public swipe at the Oilers’ goaltending. It isn’t the first, either. What’s interesting about this instance is that many argue Skinner deserved better, and the score was not a reflection of his play. That loss was on the rest of the team more than it was the netminder.
Skinner wasn’t the main culprit in the 5–1 loss, but Edmonton’s overall defensive structure and depth scoring remain glaring problems. If Ray was going to fire shots, he might have been more accurate taking aim at Darnell Nurse, Trent Frederic or any other number of Oilers players.
At the same time, Buffalo’s own poor track record might not be one that would invite commentators to throw stones.
The only hope for Edmonton fans is that they heard these comments and take offense on behalf of Skinner. He’s taking the heat for a terrible team performance and the rest of the roster owes it to him to come out better in front of him. Nothing seems to be waking this Oilers team up. Will unprovoked insults toward their netminder by another broadcast do it?
Next: Could the Oilers Pluck Two Star Players From the Predators?
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