Corey Perry announces team meeting, rips Oilers for response to Stuart Skinner injury
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
The Edmonton Oilers suffered a disaster situation last night with seemingly serious injury to Stuart Skinner, but a few players and fans were ticked that no response came afterward.
Oilers veteran and career pest Corey Perry was the player to take accountability and leadership for the lack of response to the contact on Skinner.
Oilers Corey Perry calls team meeting over lack of response to Stuart Skinner injury
Stuart Skinner left the game with an injury after taking direct contact to the head from Mikko Rantanen's knee while skating by. In Rantanen's defence, the contact happened outside of the crease and looked entirely accidental.
After the game, Corey Perry said the Oilers will have a meeting to discuss the team failing to protect their goaltender.
I was pissed at myself. I didn't see what happened. I was on the ice when Rantanen hit Skinner and that's on me. I should never let that happen. I didn't see what happened. I saw Stu go down and everyone was standing around. I didn't see it until afterwards, and I was pretty pissed at myself I didn't see it.
- Corey Perry
- Corey Perry
The veteran Perry took responsibility himself for the lack of response, but also said that it can't be him alone that holds that role.
Coach Knoblauch was more measured with his response, saying that he was fine with avoiding a major penalty with a response, and has no question about the team's heart.
We have a gritty group in here, and a group that can dig in. I don't think [Rantanen was] trying to run Stu. It was a bit of an unfortunate play. I've got no qualms about this team's heart.
- Coach Knoblauch
- Coach Knoblauch
The lack of response to the injury to Stuart Skinner, and even to the cross check that injured Connor McDavid, shows the Oilers are lacking some physical intimidation. The team has heart, but they need to wear it on their sleeve a little more.
Oilers will need to bear down in absences of McDavid, Draisaitl, and Skinner
Clearly the Oilers do need to make protecting their goaltender crease more of a priority. Stuart Skinner was pulled from a game earlier this week due to concussion protocol, and then after Skinner left last night's game, the Stars nearly collided with Calvin Pickard too. At this point, the Oilers cannot afford to lose Pickard.
Now, the Oilers will face a major challenge without Stuart Skinner for an uncertain amount of time, and will need to recall a goaltender for their back to back game today.
The Oilers will need to protect their crease much better in the playoffs now only 11 games away, because they can't afford even more uncertainty in their weakest position.
Hopefully more news on Skinner's condition is passed along today at practice, and the Oilers goaltender can get the best case scenario from team doctors.
| POLL | ||
MARS 27 | 745 ANSWERS Corey Perry announces team meeting, rips Oilers for response to Stuart Skinner injury Do you think the Oilers need to be more physical? | ||
| Yes | 717 | 96.2 % |
| No | 28 | 3.8 % |
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