The Edmonton Oilers have looked shaky over the past six weeks.
After a strong start to the season, they’ve stumbled to a 5-8-0 record in their last 13 games. While they remain second in the Pacific Division, it’s hard to ignore the lack of urgency from several players. Too many are simply coasting on the ice.

Last February, I highlighted two struggling players: Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown. At that point, Janmark had just one goal and six points in 36 games, while Brown had managed four points (none of them goals) in 39 games.
By season’s end, both finished with modest totals: four goals and 12 points in 71 games. Yet, their true value emerged in the playoffs.
Janmark scored key goals in back-to-back series after contributing just two points in the first five games. Brown, meanwhile, added two goals and six points in 19 post-season games. Together, they played important roles on the penalty kill, which tied an all-time record by shutting down 34 consecutive penalties.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
EDM FLA G7. June 24, 2024. Mattias Janmark ties the game. 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoOilers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoOilers</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TimeToHunt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TimeToHunt</a> <a href="https://t.co/lXlYUIF46o">pic.twitter.com/lXlYUIF46o</a>
&mdash; Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1805399521968767340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Fast forward to this season, and both players have already surpassed last year’s production. Through 64 games, Brown has eight goals and 23 points. Janmark has two goals and 17 points, even if one of those moments involved dumping the puck into the corner on a breakaway.
But they aren’t the only ones under scrutiny for inconsistent play.
Take Viktor Arvidsson. Brought in as a top-six forward, he’s posted just eight goals and 20 points in 49 games. For context, he tallied 26 goals and 59 points in 77 games during his last full season with the Kings.
Despite the underwhelming numbers, Arvidsson’s underlying metrics tell a different story: a 51.02% goal share and a 54.45% expected goal share. He’s doing the small things right, even if the puck isn’t finding the back of the net. His grit and ability to frustrate opponents will be critical come playoff time.
Then there’s Jeff Skinner. Expected to be another top-six contributor, he’s struggled with injuries and inconsistent linemates. He’s spent limited time alongside Connor McDavid (64:52) and Leon Draisaitl (103:28), with most of his minutes coming next to Adam Henrique. The lack of chemistry is evident.
So far, Skinner has 11 goals and 21 points in 54 games. His overall metrics, including a 44.68% goal share and  49.15% expected goal share, don’t jump off the page. But since January, he’s improved significantly, with a 69.23% goal share. He’s also yet to play in the NHL playoffs, which could light a fire under him when the games matter most.
Let’s not pretend the issue ends there. Other veterans like Henrique, Zach Hyman, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/former-nhl-goaltender-dubnyk-oilers-stuart-skinner-find-a-save">Stuart Skinner</a>, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/nugent-hopkins-struggling-who-should-oilers-use-mcdavids-wing">Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</a>, and even Connor McDavid haven&#8217;t been living up to expectations lately.
The truth? It doesn’t matter right now.
The Oilers are all but guaranteed a playoff spot and will likely face the Kings in the first round. Last year, they came within two goals of the Stanley Cup, despite not having home-ice advantage in the final three series.
The grind of a Game 7 Stanley Cup Finals is brutal for players and fans alike. What ultimately matters is how this team performs in the post-season. Will Arvidsson and Skinner step up when it counts? If not, others will. Because when spring hockey rolls around, hunger and urgency separate the contenders from the passengers.
<hr />
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

The Edmonton Oilers have looked shaky over the past six weeks.

After a strong start to the season, they’ve stumbled to a 5-8-0 record in their last 13 games. While they remain second in the Pacific Division, it’s hard to ignore the lack of urgency from several players. Too many are simply coasting on the ice.



Last February, I highlighted two struggling players: Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown. At that point, Janmark had just one goal and six points in 36 games, while Brown had managed four points (none of them goals) in 39 games.

By season’s end, both finished with modest totals: four goals and 12 points in 71 games. Yet, their true value emerged in the playoffs.

Janmark scored key goals in back-to-back series after contributing just two points in the first five games. Brown, meanwhile, added two goals and six points in 19 post-season games. Together, they played important roles on the penalty kill, which tied an all-time record by shutting down 34 consecutive penalties.

https://twitter.com/NationNMedia/status/1805399521968767340

Fast forward to this season, and both players have already surpassed last year’s production. Through 64 games, Brown has eight goals and 23 points. Janmark has two goals and 17 points, even if one of those moments involved dumping the puck into the corner on a breakaway.

But they aren’t the only ones under scrutiny for inconsistent play.

Take Viktor Arvidsson. Brought in as a top-six forward, he’s posted just eight goals and 20 points in 49 games. For context, he tallied 26 goals and 59 points in 77 games during his last full season with the Kings.

Despite the underwhelming numbers, Arvidsson’s underlying metrics tell a different story: a 51.02% goal share and a 54.45% expected goal share. He’s doing the small things right, even if the puck isn’t finding the back of the net. His grit and ability to frustrate opponents will be critical come playoff time.

Then there’s Jeff Skinner. Expected to be another top-six contributor, he’s struggled with injuries and inconsistent linemates. He’s spent limited time alongside Connor McDavid (64:52) and Leon Draisaitl (103:28), with most of his minutes coming next to Adam Henrique. The lack of chemistry is evident.

So far, Skinner has 11 goals and 21 points in 54 games. His overall metrics, including a 44.68% goal share and  49.15% expected goal share, don’t jump off the page. But since January, he’s improved significantly, with a 69.23% goal share. He’s also yet to play in the NHL playoffs, which could light a fire under him when the games matter most.

Let’s not pretend the issue ends there. Other veterans like Henrique, Zach Hyman, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/former-nhl-goaltender-dubnyk-oilers-stuart-skinner-find-a-save">Stuart Skinner</a>, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/nugent-hopkins-struggling-who-should-oilers-use-mcdavids-wing">Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</a>, and even Connor McDavid haven't been living up to expectations lately.

The truth? It doesn’t matter right now.

The Oilers are all but guaranteed a playoff spot and will likely face the Kings in the first round. Last year, they came within two goals of the Stanley Cup, despite not having home-ice advantage in the final three series.

The grind of a Game 7 Stanley Cup Finals is brutal for players and fans alike. What ultimately matters is how this team performs in the post-season. Will Arvidsson and Skinner step up when it counts? If not, others will. Because when spring hockey rolls around, hunger and urgency separate the contenders from the passengers.

<hr />

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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