The Edmonton Oilers secured a spot in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers after their Game 5 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. The team’s success stems mainly from the outstanding offensive output of captain Connor McDavid and a strong supporting lineup led by Leon Draisaitl, but additional scoring contributions will be critical for their championship run.

Alongside McDavid and Draisaitl, players like Kasperi Kapanen and Jeff Skinner have provided valuable depth scoring, with Skinner re-entering the lineup due to Zach Hyman’s injury. Despite these contributions, three key players have yet to deliver the consistent secondary offense necessary to overcome the Panthers, who will focus on neutralizing the Oilers’ stars.

Secondary scorers struggling to make impact

Trent Frederic was acquired at the trade deadline to add offensive depth and help shoulder the scoring load beyond the top line. However, his output has been limited to one goal and three points in 15 appearances so far. With Florida likely deploying Aleksander Barkov to shadow McDavid, Frederic’s production needs to increase to prevent the Oilers from becoming too predictable offensively.

Defensive responsibilities vs. offensive contributions from Nurse

Darnell Nurse has played a steady defensive role, avoiding major mistakes and averaging nearly 24 minutes per game, especially in the absence of Mattias Ekholm. Still, Nurse is known for his offensive skill as a defenseman, which has not materialized in this postseason. He has recorded only two goals and five points over 15 games, an area where the Oilers will require more output if fellow defenseman Evan Bouchard cannot consistently contribute offensively.

Jeff Skinner’s role grows after injury opportunity

Zach Hyman’s injury led to Jeff Skinner’s return to the lineup, and Skinner responded by scoring in the crucial Game 5 victory against Dallas. This performance likely secures him a spot in the Stanley Cup Final roster. With Florida’s defense expected to heavily focus on limiting McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard, Skinner’s ability to provide reliable secondary scoring will be essential. The Oilers depend on Skinner to justify the confidence shown in him by the team during last offseason’s acquisition.

Overall, the Oilers’ path to capturing the Stanley Cup hinges on expanded offensive contributions from these secondary scorers. While McDavid and Draisaitl remain the driving forces, the capacity of players like Skinner, Nurse, and Frederic to increase their scoring will likely determine whether Edmonton can surpass the Panthers and claim the championship.