Jeff Skinner (Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images)EDMONTON – Depth is the name of the game.
The Edmonton Oilers have depth coming out of their ears.
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With Zach Hyman recovering from surgery, Mattias Ekholm and Jeff Skinner were inserted into the lineup. Skinner came in for Hyman, while Ekholm has joined the team because he’s finally healthy.
One of them has made an immediate impact.
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Much was made of Skinner joining a contending team in the summer. The veteran forward hadn’t played a playoff game yet in his career. But that all changed this year.
The 1078-game veteran played 11:12 in the Oilers' 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in their first game of the postseason. Skinner recorded his first point by assisting on Mattias Janmark’s goal in the third period.
Now, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars, Skinner has achieved another milestone.
Just over eight minutes into the opening frame of the first period, Skinner scored his first career playoff goal. It was a simple play, where he took the puck to the net and made something happen.
Skinner should feel good about how his game has progressed. With this goal in his back pocket, it should give him the confidence he needs to continue to play the right way.
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