Edmonton Oilers
Two On-Camera Moments May Have Ended the McDavid–Skinner Rumor
Unpack the significance of the McDavid Skinner moment in the Oilers game and the emotional connections between teammates.
Connor McDavid‘s goal on his former teammate and goaltender Stuart Skinner was a beauty on Tuesday in a 6-4 win by the Edmonton Oilers over the Pittsburgh Penguins. And, as nice as the win and the goal were, that wasn’t really the takeaway from the game.
Leon Draisaitl earned his 1000th NHL point (also got 1001, 1002, and 1003), but friends and former teammates showed some love for one another in a very difficult situation that couldn’t have been easy for anyone.
McDavid said after the win, “I thought both goalies handled themselves well. Unique situation, probably a strange night for both guys, and I thought they handled themselves just fine.” When it came to his former teammate, McDavid is the ultimate competitor, but that doesn’t mean he lacked emotion for a guy he battled hard with in several consecutive playoff series.
Skinner let in five goals on 22 shots. It was a rough night, with the Oilers scoring early and often. He was in the net for Draisaitl’s 1000th point and the bench-clearing celebration that happened awkwardly right beside him. At one point, McDavid gave Skinner a stick tap on the pads, a quick ‘hey’ and ‘hope you’re OK’ moment. It was McDavid’s second goal of the night, an empty-net marker to put the Penguins away.
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There were also two separate hugs outside of the game that showed how much these two really do care for each other. For some reason, there’s a narrative out there that McDavid might have had an issue with Skinner. That rumor seemed to be put to rest on Tuesday.
As frustrating as it might have been for McDavid to lose in two straight Finals series, to say he, or anyone else, would put that solely on Skinner seems unfair and unrealistic. Perhaps the Oilers felt they needed to go in another direction. That argument seems logical. But, to assume that McDavid had it out for Skinner and Tuesday’s performance (four points) was some kind of message or way to embarrass the goalie is inaccurate.
These are players who spent a lot of time together and battled, feeling the highs and lows of getting far in the playoffs and coming up just short. The Oilers don’t make those magical runs if not for Skinner, and McDavid knows it.
This was an emotional game, in many ways. Frankly, it’s probably nice for both sides to have it done and everyone can now move on. It was a special couple of moments between friends and former teammates, but the real work begins now.
McDavid, the Oilers, and new goalie Tristan Jarry need to show that life without Skinner was the right call to make. Skinner needs to show that he’s a capable starter and earn himself a contract extension.
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