The Edmonton Oilers deserved to lose Game 1. Full stop. Edmonton did not have a shot on goal for 22 minutes of play and sat back thinking that their work was finished after the first period. To the Canucks credit, they exposed a couple key weaknesses of the Edmonton Oilers. This is the first true test for coach Kris Knoblauch. If he is not able to adapt, this is a series the Oilers will lose.

Let's focus on a couple of those key issues.

Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci

Nurse and Ceci were outshot 4-9 and outscored 1-3 at 5 on 5 (outscored 1-4 at even strength). They floundered against any speed or rush offense that came their way and if it hasn't been made clear yet by the ample amount of sample size, this pairing does not work against any offensive minded teams.

Last season against the Golden Knights, the Nurse and Ceci pairing was outscored 1-6 at 5 on 5. It's obvious to everyone except Ken Holland and the coaching staff apparently that teams target this pairing. This isn't a "they had a bad game, let them bounce back" moment. This pairing has proven time and time again to be utter ineffective. I would go so far as to say to continue to put this pairing out any longer should be a fileable offense.

Stuart Skinner

Skinner also did not have a great game by any stretch. At bare minimum he needs to stop the Connor Garland goal but there were a few moments where the netminder looked shaky and out of position. We have seen Skinner have bad moments and follow it up with an excellent performance. After a rough Game 2, Skinner was rock solid in Games 3, 4, and 5 against LA. Edmonton needs that Stuart Skinner tonight.

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Draisaitl did not skate and though I do expect him to play tonight, it's likely he is playing hurt. That is not a recipe for long term playoff success. I wonder if we see Draisaitl on a wing tonight, similar in years past where he was injured and couldn't shoulder the centre responsibilities as much. Something to watch for.

The only good take away from last game. Silovs looked incredibly beatable with the Oilers mustering 4 goals on 14 shots and a couple real stinkers. If the Oilers get pull themselves together and implement a far better strategy in Game 2 and Silovs continues to struggle, the Oilers could gain some real momentum.

This is the first time in these playoffs where the Edmonton Oilers are behind in a series. It's unrealistic to expect a team to not face some adversity in the playoffs. Tonight we will find out how the Oilers are prepared to respond to it.

Thanks for reading.

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