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Corey Perry and Brad Marchand keep proving that age is only a state of mind. Perry scored a miracle tying goal with less than 20 seconds left in regulation, setting up the second straight Overtime tilt in a series that’s still only two games old. It was his 9th career goal scored in a Final series, tying him with Marchand for the most among active players. But then, in double OT, Marchand decided to take that record back with his 10th Finals goal. Brad also became the first player to score both a shorthanded goal and OT goal in one Finals game. The NHL is over a century old, and we just saw this happen now? These two have had multiple 4th-round appearances since winning it all in their early 20s. Watching them still perform this far at a high level is great for the sport and for nostalgia.
Not that Game 2 was Stuart Skinner’s fault, by any means. But you’d have liked to see a save on at least one of Marchand’s goals, obviously the second one. Both were breakaways and beat Skinner five-hole. Sam Reinhart also had a breakaway, but shot the puck wide. So Stu pretty much didn’t have a great night on scoring chances like those. Leon Draisaitl did his job to backcheck and defend on the second breakaway goal; Marchand couldn’t get a better shot off. But it still managed to squeak through Skinner. Evan Bouchard got caught out of place because he expected to get the puck at the blue line when it was making its way around the boards. But when you watch the goal on the NHL Edge website, a great tool that I recommend, you’ll notice that the puck took a hop halfway towards Bouchard. That’s how the Panthers were able to get possession, leading to the aforementioned OT goal.
Game 1 was a loss that the Panthers would like to have back, and Game 2 was a loss that the Oilers would like to have back. Either team could have a 2-0 lead in this series; that’s how close those games were and how razor-thin the margin for error is. That’s postseason hockey, championship hockey, and you just have to move on. Of course, both teams would prefer a 2-game advantage, but they’re happy enough not to have a 2-game disadvantage. In last year’s Finals, Edmonton got outscored 7-1 through the first two games. In this year’s Finals, both teams have scored eight goals. There won’t be a 3-0 deficit like last time. Just try getting the first win in Florida, and see where you can go from there. The keys to the game are…
Edmonton Oilers Thoughts
Control Your Emotions: I sympathize with players feeling adrenaline at this time of the year. But letting it take hold of your play on the ice can sometimes be costly. Case in point, Evander Kane’s offensive zone penalty less than a minute into Friday night’s game. I remember a moment remotely similar to this in the 2022 Western Conference Final against the Avalanche. After Kane’s team scored first early in Game 3 of that series, he checked Nazem Kadri hard into the boards, and that led to him getting a one-game suspension. He made up for this penalty on Friday with a tying goal later in the first period. But don’t forget the difference between playing with emotion and playing while emotional, especially against this team.
Bennett-Fit Of A Doubt: We were warned about Sam Bennett injuring or bruising goalies accidentally on purpose. For the second game in a row, he had a moment with Skinner on the ice. Not in regard to a goal being challenged, but there was concern that Skinner may’ve been injured. Calvin Pickard looked almost ready to take over. It did result in a minor penalty that the Oilers scored on. But that camera shot of Matthew Tkachuk giving Bennett a congratulatory tap after the incident while smiling is where I want every Oiler to take as many liberties with #9 as humanly possible. Send a message that our goalies will be stood up for. If he wants to spend time around the blue paint, make him pay for it.
Lead The Way: Edmonton has seven come-from-behind wins in these Playoffs; they weren’t able to get the 8th in Game 2. As impressive as these comebacks have been, and as comfortable as the Oilers are in those situations, they’ve also admitted before that it’s not always ideal to keep doing that. They’re too comfortable with it for the liking of many fans. They were better at holding onto leads against Dallas, first game aside. Try making that a habit in this series.
More must-reads:
- Yankees quickly pull plug on key trade-deadline acquisition
- Kyren Williams contract extension with Rams a win for both sides
- The 'MLB playoff home run leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
What’s Wrong With Oilers Goalie Stuart Skinner? A Closer Look
Stuart Skinner is the Edmonton Oilers’ goalie right now, and sure, there’s been talk about other names possibly taking over, but for the moment, he’s the guy between the pipes. Lately, though, there’s been a lot of chatter around what’s gone wrong with him and whether he’s really the goalie the Oilers can count on long term. One thing that caught people’s attention: Skinner didn’t get invited to Canada’s Olympic summer camp this year. That might seem like a minor detail, but it tells us a lot about where he stands—and maybe that things haven’t quite clicked. The Olympic Camp Snub: A Blow or a Blessing? Now, missing out on an invite to a camp like that can sting. It’s a huge accolade for any goalie, especially a younger one. To be invited shows you are among the best. You get to work with top coaches, face off against elite competition, and soak up that high-level environment. So when Skinner wasn’t picked, some fans started wondering if maybe he’s not quite ready to be a true NHL starter. And honestly, that’s a fair question. Confidence is huge for goalies—if you start doubting yourself, it shows in your game. You hesitate, second-guess, and suddenly everything feels harder. But here’s the flip side. Sometimes, not receiving an invitation can be beneficial to a player. The Olympic camp entails extra travel, a demanding schedule, and numerous distractions. For a goalie who needs to focus on his game, staying put in Edmonton might be exactly what Skinner needs. He can work closely with the Oilers’ goalie coaches, stick to his training plan, and maybe get in some extra gym time without the jet lag. Plus, getting passed over like this can light a fire. There’s something about proving people wrong that can push a player to new heights. Bigger Picture: Talent vs. Consistency That said, the issues with Skinner aren’t just about confidence or missing a camp invite. There’s a bigger picture here. Skinner shows flashes of brilliance—there’s no denying his talent. However, he’s struggled with consistency, especially when the pressure’s on. When big moments come, can he hold the fort? That’s the question many fans and analysts are asking. And then there’s the team around him. The Oilers’ defense has had its moments of weakness, which puts Skinner under the microscope game after game. But even with all that, some feel Skinner hasn’t quite adjusted to facing the high-danger chances that come his way night after night. Another thing to consider: at 26, Skinner should be hitting his stride, but it feels like his development has plateaued a bit. Instead of steadily improving, he’s had ups and downs. That makes you wonder if he’s reached his ceiling or if there’s still more to come. What the 2025-26 Season Could Tell Us The Oilers’ goalie situation was a bit of a roller coaster during the playoffs, and this season could be make-or-break for Skinner. If he can turn this missed Olympic camp and the doubts that come with it into a quiet seething anger, he might emerge a stronger, more consistent, and confident goalie. Could this be his chance to cement himself as the team’s goalie moving forward? However, if he struggles, the Oilers might start looking more closely at backups like Calvin Pickard or even other goalie options. When the 2025-26 season comes around, is there something fans should be watching for? Here are a few thoughts. First, does Skinner start strong or look shaky? Body language is huge for goalies—confident ones play with a calm, sure-footed style, while those who are struggling often look tense and hesitant. Second, what do the coaches say during post-game interviews? Fans can’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, but it’s often not hard to read between the lines during interviews. Positive chatter can be a sign of trust. But damning with faint praise can be a telling sign. However, perhaps the most obvious indication is how much he plays and in which games he’s inserted. How much confidence does the team’s coaching staff have in him? The Bottom Line: Opportunity or Warning Sign? Not making the Olympic camp isn’t the end of the world for Skinner. It’s a setback, sure, but it can also be a huge motivator. The next season will tell us a lot about whether he can turn things around or if the Oilers need to look elsewhere for their goalie of the future. One thing’s for sure—Skinner knows he was passed over, and now it’s his move. [Note: I’d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9]
Celtics’ Georges Niang Trade Wasn’t Just About Salary Dump
The Boston Celtics have made yet another curious offseason move, trading 32-year-old 3-point specialist Georges Niang and two second-round picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for RJ Luis Jr., an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract. On the surface, this trade was more or less a salary dump. While a rebuilding team, the Jazz are expected to absorb Niang’s 2024-25 salary ($8.2 million) in the trade exception they generated from shipping John Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers. This reduced Boston’s luxury tax by $50 million, according Third Apron salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan. For their efforts, the Jazz not only got a pair of second-rounders but a veteran that can teach their young players the nuances of professionalism. Celtics’ Georges Niang Trade Wasn’t Just About Salary Dump Though the Celtics obviously wanted to reduce their bill, the deal wasn’t just about that. Boston genuinely wanted Luis, per ZAGSBLOG draft expert Adam Zagoria. With that in mind, he entered the 2025 NBA Draft out of St. John’s, he played his freshman season at local UMass. That season, he averaged 11.5 points per game on 45.5 percent from the field. He also earned 10 starts, averaging 15.5 points per game in those contests. As a junior in 2024-25, Luis exploded for 18.2 points per game. His season ended on a low note. In a nine-point loss to Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32, he went just 3-17 from the field, scoring nine points. Nonetheless, his body of work shouldn’t be overshadowed by the last sentence. Nor should the pedigree he enters the NBA with. In 2024-25, he was a Consensus All-American. His father, Reggie Charles, was a professional basketball player who spent 15 seasons overseas. For the last two seasons of his college career, he was coached by Rick Pitino. The Celtics undoubtedly have a complex history with their former head coach but there’s no denying his greatness at the collegiate level. What Can RJ Luis Jr. Bring To The Celtics? Flawed though he may be, Luis is a good get for Boston, especially on a two-way contract. With Jayson Tatum likely to miss at least the first half of 2025-26 after tearing his Achilles in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Celtics have a lot of minutes to fill in at forward. As a result, players like 2023 No. 38 pick Jordan Walsh and 2025 No. 28 pick Hugo Gonzalez have a real chance of barging into the rotation. In a vacuum, they’re both rotation-caliber forwards but they’re raw, particularly offensively. That being said, if they’re trying to step into Tatum’s shoes, their limitations at that end are problematic. Tatum’s one of the most dangerous scorers in the league, averaging 27.5 points per game over the past five seasons. Luis probably won’t explode onto the season looking like a perennial All-Star. Still, he’s a more masterful scorer than either Walsh or Gonzalez right now. In the open court, he’s exciting, like many athletic wings with his length (6-foot-7). Yet, he’s not refined to impacting the game on the break. In the halfcourt, he’s able to use his handle and footwork to create space whether in the drive or in the post. Indeed, utilizing his instincts and body control, he’s actually pretty nifty with the ball in his hands. He even follows up his own shot, leading to frequent putbacks. Though he doesn’t have elite efficiency in any area, he’s a multifaceted offensive player who also has a knack for playmaking, particularly with regard to pocket passes. To improve his efficiency, he should cut down on his off-the-dribble attempts due to his tendency to take tough jumpers. All the same, while Boston waits for Tatum to return, the 22-year-old could play an important role.
Yankees quickly pull plug on key trade-deadline acquisition
After a disastrous start to his time in the Bronx, the New York Yankees have seen enough of reliever Jake Bird. Acquired in a trade-deadline deal with the Colorado Rockies, Bird was sent to Triple-A after giving up a game-winning three-run home run against the Texas Rangers on Monday night. The long ball continued what has been a head-shaking start for the 29-year-old right-hander with the Yankees, as he has given up seven runs (six earned) and four hits in just 2.0 innings worked over three games. His recent outings extend what has been a downward spiral for Bird. While with the Rockies, Bird allowed runs in 10 of his last 17 games before being traded, equaling a 13.20 ERA during that stretch. Before that, Bird was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, posting a 1.41 ERA through his first 28 outings of the season. Bird's collapse in the Bronx goes along with the overall struggles of the Yankees bullpen. Devin Williams, another trade that was supposed to be an answer in the late innings for New York, served up the game-tying homer on Monday night in Texas. Over his last seven appearances, he has a 7.71 ERA, and a potential change at closer could be in the air after manager Aaron Boone's comments after Monday's loss. The Yankees made deals at the deadline to boost the bullpen, bringing in Bird from Colorado, David Bednar from Pittsburgh and Camilo Doval from San Francisco. However, those moves have mostly hurt the Yankees, who also saw leads evaporate in a three-game road sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins. While it's still too early to say the Rockies won the trade by acquiring two prospects for Bird, the early results for the Yankees certainly point in that direction. If Bird isn't able to regain the confidence that was such a big part of his demeanor while in Colorado, the trade will be a decision that New York could regret for the rest of the season and beyond.
Pep Guardiola-Admired Sunderland Talent Turned Down Transfer Approaches From Spain
Sunderland are having a very busy summer, and they have already announced eight signings during the current transfer window. However, manager Regis Le Bris has already acknowledged the need to loan out and sell some players to maintain a reasonable balance in the squad. One of Sunderland fans' favorite players is attracting interest from clubs in Spain, but for now, there is no indication he will leave the club. Sunderland's Patrick Roberts turned down transfer approaches from LaLiga Sunderland fan-favorite Patrick Roberts has turned down transfer approaches from Spanish clubs, though his future at the club remains uncertain. The Sunderland Echo has revealed that Roberts is of interest to several LaLiga clubs, but the 28-year-old winger is not currently considering leaving the Stadium of Light. However, the same outlet notes that both Chemsdine Talbi (20) and Simon Adingra (23), recent signings for the club, can play as right-wingers - the same position as Roberts - meaning competition for that spot is fierce. According to the Sunderland Echo, representatives from at least two Spanish clubs met with Patrick's camp, but for now, the Englishman has rejected the possibility of playing in LaLiga, as the player is "prepared to fight for his place under Regis Le Bris." When Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola praised Patrick Roberts A few years ago, Pep Guardiola expressed his admiration for Patrick Roberts when the Englishman was one of Manchester City's youth players. It was specifically during Roberts' first spell at Premiership side Celtic in 2016 that the Spanish manager highlighted the quality of what is now Sunderland's winger. "He has potential. I am so happy with his performance," said Guardiola after being asked if he counted on the then-youngster for his City squad. "We know his quality, but the decision is not about one game. It is for one season," added the still-Citizens boss in comments reported by the BBC. We'll see what happens with Roberts as August progresses. Read More:
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