3 least impressive Edmonton Oilers players from to 6-5 loss to Florida Panthers feat. Stuart Skinner 

The Edmonton Oilers and their fans are likely still feeling the sting of coming within one game of winning the franchise's first Stanley Cup since 1990 this past Spring.

The dream was ended by the Florida Panthers, who prevailed in seven games despite a near-reverse sweep by the Oilers.

On Monday night, the two teams met for the first time since that fateful night in June, and while only a pair of points were on the line, the Oilers were looking for bragging rights.

The visiting Panthers struck first while shorthanded thanks to Jesper Boqvist. Zach Hyman responded for the Oilers with his ninth goal, knotting the score. But Matthew Tkachuk regained the lead for Florida with a power-play goal late in the opening frame.

Edmonton once again grabbed the equalizer, again thanks to Zach Hyman. Just 43 seconds later, Connor Brown beat goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to give the Oilers their first lead, followed by the 23rd goal from sniper Leon Draisaitl on the power-play. Before the period ended, the Panthers got one back thanks to Gustav Forsling.

The offensive battle continued in the third period, as both teams combined for a trio of goals in just 1:09; Niko Mikkola and Sam Reinhart struck for Florida, while Kasperi Kapanen re-tied the game.

Carter Verhaeghe's goal allowed Florida to regain the lead late in the third period, and the goal stood up as the game-winner; the Oilers were unable to knot the score again despite Skinner being pulled for the extra attacker.

Skinner's performance was lacking, as he stopped just 22 of the 28 shots Florida fired his way; Bobrovsky wasn't much better with 25 saves on 30 shots, but he picked up the win.

3 least impressive Edmonton Oilers players from 6-5 loss to Florida Panthers

#1. Stuart Skinner

In what has become an uncomfortable refrain, the state of Edmonton's goaltending is again under the microscope following yet another subpar performance by Skinner.

He was beaten six times on 28 shots, and a handful of the goals were stoppable shots that wouldn't be categorized as not having a chance on.

The Oilers decided to run it back in 2024-25 with Skinner and Pickard, but if more of these kinds of performances take place, you can bet that decision will be second-guessed.

#2. Evan Bouchard

The Oilers defenseman has battled his issues with consistency this season, and it was his gaffe in the first period that opened the door for the Panthers to take the 1-0 lead; he turned the puck over to Boqvist, who beat Skinner on a shorthanded breakaway.

Bouchard finished the night with a -2 rating while making a trip to the penalty box, not a performance indicative of his standing as one of Edmonton's top blue-liners.

#3. Darnell Nurse

Like Bouchard, Nurse found himself getting into penalty trouble, and the Panthers made him pay for it.

By the time the night was over, Nurse was whistled for a total of six penalty minutes; Tkachuk struck during one of his trips to the box.

Nurse also was guilty of a giveaway.

The Oilers will look to bounce back when they host the Boston Bruins next at Rogers Place on Thursday.