Game 1 between the Edmonton Oilers and L.A. Kings resulted in a 6-5 win for the home team and fans had a field day on social media venting their frustrations with the team’s performance early in the game.
Now down 1-0 in the series, much of the angst from Edmonton’s perspective was directed towards goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenceman Evan Bouchard, while others had issues with the officiating.
The Oilers entered the third period down by a score of 4-1. However, they tied the game in the final minutes only to lose it seconds later. It was a roller coaster of emotions and social media responded accordingly.
“Name a better matchup than Evan Bouchard vs. Playing defence” – Adam Wylde on X
“Evan Bouchard and Jake Walman threw that game. Skinner wasn’t great, sure, but he was required to be exceptional due to how insanely bad the guys in the top 2 D pairings played.” – CR5Orca on X
“Bouchard is an absolute trainwreck in the defensive zone.” – PromotetheCondors on X
“My feelings are the same as they have been for the last two-plus years. The Oilers never win a Cup with Skinner in net. It’s not ‘How many games can Skinner steal us?’ It’s ‘How many MORE games will this joker cost us?’ – Spacecam via X
“Skinner shouldn’t see the crease again. Enough of average goaltending. That is giving him some credit.” – Oilerswanttobe via Threads
“Hmm, how about a goalie that can make a KEY SAVE! Been begging and screaming for this for YEARS!!!”  – Jason on Facebook
On the flip side, Stuart Skinner did have supporters in his corner, echoing that not everything was his fault in Game 1.
“If it wasn’t for Stu, it would’ve been 7-0 in the second.” – Punisher403_mma via Threads.
“We knew Skinner would suck. We didn’t know Kuemper would suck. Oil in 5.” – Kailer.memeamoto via Instagram
We left stu out to dry for 40 minutes, and he came up big during that 5 on 3 when Knob decided it would be a great opportunity to put Josh Brown against the two man advantage, didn’t even clear the puck once and they got 7 or 8 shots on net during that time. – Isaac_2_6 via Instagram.
While on paper, the scoreline looks ugly. Allowing six goals in a hockey game doesn’t paint a pretty picture, yet fans were positive, especially after the performance from Connor McDavid, who scored the tying goal to make it 5-5 and recorded four points on the night.
“It was a superhuman effort by Mcdavid in the 3rd. Otherwise, LA dominates this one.” – Jason on Facebook
“Considering this team as it was last night had never played together, AND considering some of our best were coming out of injuries after missing how many games together, the first two periods looked sloppy and unorganized. But they found their flow, albeit far too late, and did they ever look good after that! That’s all LA is going to get moving forward! LET’S GO OILERS!!!” – Corey on Facebook
“Not worried. You don’t win or lose a series in game 1. Game plan for G2 is simple: stay out of the box & don’t spot them 4 goals before you start trying. I take nothing but positives away from G1. Oilers scored 5 goals on the best defensive team in the league in roughly one period.” – Cole Chmillar on X
“I don’t care what happens for the rest of the game Nobody can take away the pure unadulterated joy i experienced when Connor McDavid scored that goal.” – Roguskii via X
“Oilers in 5. This has 2022 BOA written all over it.” – Mason_Lakustiak via Instagram
If there was one thing most Oilers fans would agree upon, it was the officiating, specifically when Jake Walman received a delay-of-game penalty after flicking the puck over the glass.
“If there was ONLY A WAY to track the puck when/where/if it hit the glass…??? Over the Goal line??? Offside??? High stick??? Man, I wish we had the technology to do that.” – Jason Milne via X.
“Why does the far ref decide this play when the guy closer said it deflected?” – Steele131 via X.
“I’d like to challenge some of the other penalties as well.” – Chad Mackie via X.
Following Game 1, the consensus was that both goaltending and defence needed improvement for Game 2. The team must also play a full 60 minutes if they hope to defeat the L.A. Kings and turn the series in their favour. The game felt like it highlighted all the frustrations that Oilers fans have experienced throughout the season.
The Oilers face the L.A. Kings in Game 2 on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena and will hope to tie the series before returning to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4.