Solid goaltending behind recent success of Wild, Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are looking to kick off their five-game homestand on the right note when they host the surging Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.

The Oilers carry some momentum into Tuesday's clash after Stuart Skinner's 26-save shutout in Edmonton's critical 4-0 blanking of the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.

A strong goaltending performance came at the perfect time for an Oilers squad that has allowed three or more goals in 19 of their 26 games this season.

"I thought it was good." Skinner remarked following Saturday's road win. "I was able to play a solid game, but I thought you could see that from everybody. I think this was one of the games where we were able to play a really solid 60-minute game."

Alongside Skinner's shutout, the Oilers top dogs came to play with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins all collecting a goal and an assist in the victory.

Draisaitl extended his point streak to eight games (five goals, eight assists). Nugent-Hopkins impressed in his return after missing the previous nine games with an undisclosed injury.

"This is how you want to respond, no question about it," Nugent-Hopkins said. "But now we look forward to the next one on Tuesday. We'll take a day to get a little rest, and then back at it on Monday, but this is how you want to respond. It shows a lot of good things for our group."

The Wild will be eyeing a return to the win column, where they'd found themselves in seven straight games before Saturday's 3-2 shootout defeat at home to the Buffalo Sabres.

The Wild, who open a four-game Western road trip Tuesday, were riding high coming into Saturday following Friday's gutsy 3-2 shootout win over the division-leading Colorado Avalanche.

"Anyone can beat anyone on any given night, that's why it's the hardest league in the world," said Wild coach John Hynes when speaking about the lessons his team can take away from Saturday's loss. "I think when you look at these two things, Colorado had the same game that we had (Friday) night and they came back out and they beat Montreal (Canadiens) pretty good and then we weren't at our best tonight. Not what it was (Friday) night."

"So, to me, that's where we got to grow as a team."

Wild star forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy each scored in the win, with Kaprizov extending his point streak to seven games (seven goals, two assists).

Despite the shootout loss, the Wild stretched their point streak to 11 games (9-0-2).

Goaltending has been a key cog in the Wild's recent run, allowing more than three goals just once over their past 14 games and collecting four shutouts across that stretch.

Filip Gustavsson made 30 saves in Saturday's loss, but hasn't been alone in Minnesota's crease with 23-year-old Jesper Wallstedt being one of the NHL's hottest netminders.

Minnesota's 2021 first-round pick has posted a 7-0-0 record across his past seven starts, while compiling three shutouts.

Edmonton has won each of the previous two meetings, the most recent a 5-3 road victory Jan. 15, 2025.

--Field Level Media