EDMONTON – Next man up.
This is a winning mentality. There is no “I” in team.
The Edmonton Oilers are led offensively by the likes of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. The latter is usually the top dog, but he’s playing second fiddle this year to the “German Gretzky.”
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Thursday night's 4-3 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets wasn't all bad. It served as a showcase for Jeff Skinner, who is primed to sit at the top of the Oilers' depth chart with 97 and 29 injured.
He started the year shaky and has been called out by his coach, but he has found himself on the top line alongside his former minor hockey teammate in the last couple of games.
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The sniper scored two goals on four shots, but that’s not all Skinner did. His teammate Zach Hyman, and coach, Kris Knoblauch, praised his play and perseverance after the game.
“Two goals, right? The hardest thing to do in this league is score,” Hyman said. “He’s got a knack for the net. Really skilled player.”
“Obviously hasn’t had the easiest year. I don’t think people truly appreciate how hard that is to do, when things aren’t going your way to just stick with it, and to believe in yourself.”
Knoblauch echoed a similar sentiment with his comments.
“He’s a goal-scorer, he’s a guy that benefits from playing with playmakers,” Knoblauch revealed. “(You) saw it tonight with the two goals.”
“Coming in at the beginning of the season, expectations were high and finding a role and chemistry with a line just didn’t match. Not once did he ever play the prima donna personality. He worked hard every day, great attitude and wanted his opportunity.”
Skinner plays a more assertive game with the Oilers than with previous organizations. And now that the opportunity presents itself, it’s time for him to take the puck and run with it.
Everything is coming up Jeff Skinner.
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