Edmonton Oilers Goalie Stuart Skinner Called out by Fans for Embellishment after Cheap Shot by Backlund

Tempers always seem to flare when the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames square off in the Battle of Alberta, a rivalry that has been in favor of the Flames during the regular season, although Edmonton has the advantage when it comes to facing off in the postseason. The two teams came into the league only a year apart, and immediately got off to a heated start; Calgary moved from Atlanta in 1980 and Edmonton came in with the WHA-NHL merger in 1979.

So on Sunday when both teams faced off early in this 2024-2025 season, it didn't take long for things to blow up, as Flames forward Mikael Backlund gave a slash to Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, who immediately keeled over in pain as Edmonton's bench was furious:

What incensed the Oilers even more was nothing was done on the play, and Backlund got off scot-free. However, Flames fans are taking umbrage with Skinner, believing he exaggerated the severity of the slash in order to get the man advantage:

While it doesn't look good for Backlund to be taking a swipe at Skinner, it's egregious for Skinner to fall like he's been shot. Yes, it was to an unpadded area, but it was a one-handed swipe almost like "Hey, I'm behind you watch out." as opposed to something malicious. Backlund could have swung for the fences if he wanted to hurt Skinner, or simply have run him over; risking a penalty but causing much more collateral damage. Nothing about this play screams malicious though Backlund should have gotten a penalty on the play, but not to have his head taken off like the Oilers wanted.

Plays like these in hockey are a dime a dozen, and some teams like Calgary get away with it and sometimes they don't. It's the nature of the game, and you have to play the hand you're dealt with.