Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Struggles continue in Cup loss
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Skinner allowed three goals on 23 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Panthers in Game 6 on Tuesday.
Two goals went into an empty net when the Oilers were trying to push for their first goal late in the third frame. Skinner has struggled to gain the faith of fans with a few too many beachball goals, and Tuesday was no different, especially with the first snipe. He finished the postseason with seven wins, a 2.99 GAA and an .889 save percentage in 15 starts.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Set to start in Game 6
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Skinner is expected to start on the road against Florida in Game 6 on Tuesday, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.
Skinner has allowed at least three goals in each of his past five appearances while posting an .855 save percentage across that span. Calvin Pickard stepped in for Game 5, but the netminder stopped just 14 of 18 shots en route to a 5-2 loss, which presumably influenced Edmonton's decision to go back to Skinner. The Oilers need to win Tuesday to force a Game 7 on Friday.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Pulled again in Game 4
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Skinner allowed three goals on 17 shots in the first period of Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Panthers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Skinner was the only reason the Oilers were down 3-0 after the opening frame -- it could have been much worse. Nonetheless, head coach Kris Knoblauch elected to pull Skinner for the second game in a row, and Calvin Pickard was between the pipes for the Oilers' comeback. With three straight subpar efforts, it would be surprising to see Skinner between the pipes on home ice in Game 5 on Saturday, especially after Pickard stopped 22 of 23 shots Thursday.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Starting Game 4
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Skinner will defend the visiting cage in Florida for Thursday's Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Skinner has been outstanding in the Edmonton net, as he was 7-2 with a 1.83 GAA and a .929 save percentage before Monday's 6-1 shellacking against the Panthers. He was less than ordinary in Monday's tilt, allowing five goals on 23 shots before he was pulled in favor of Calvin Pickard. Skinner will get a chance to redeem himself Thursday against a Florida team that is generating 4.00 goals per game during the playoffs.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Gets hook in Game 3
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Skinner stopped 18 of 23 shots Monday before being replaced by Calvin Pickard early in the third period of the Oilers' 6-1 loss to the Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
The netminder got caught out of his crease trying to find a loose puck in a scrum, leading to a Brad Marchand tally just 56 seconds into the first period. While Skinner wasn't at fault for any of the remaining goals he allowed -- two of which came on power plays, and one on a two-on-nothing breakaway finished off by Sam Bennett -- the early miscue set the tone for the night. Skinner has coughed up five goals in back-to-back starts and 13 total on 97 shots (.866 save percentage) through the first three games of the series. Head coach Kris Knoblauch may have a tough choice to make when he names his starter for Game 4 on Thursday.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Game 3 starter
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Skinner will start in the road net for Monday's Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Panthers, Bob Stauffer of the Oilers Radio Network reports.
Skinner returns to the crease for his 11th consecutive start after what was a tough outing for the backstop in Game 2, allowing five goals for the first time in six starts. Since claiming the starting role back, the 26-year-old has rebounded from losses extremely well, posting shutouts in both his starts following defeats. He has combined to save 48 shots in those two contests, but he might have more of a workload to deal with against a Panthers team that averages just over 28 shots on goal per game.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Comes up short in Game 2
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Skinner allowed five goals on 42 shots in Friday's 5-4 double-overtime loss to the Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Skinner had a 3-2 lead to work with after the first period, but he gave up two goals in the second. Corey Perry's late equalizer in the third forced overtime, but a second breakaway goal by Brad Marchand in the second extra session was enough to snap Skinner's five-game winning streak. The five goals allowed were also the most he's allowed since his last loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals versus the Stars. Skinner's strong play of late has earned him some leeway as the Oilers' starter, so it's likely he'll be back in goal for Game 3 on Monday in Florida.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Starting Game 2
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Skinner will patrol the home crease versus Florida on Friday in Game 2, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.
Skinner turned aside 29 of 32 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime victory in Game 1. Skinner has won seven of his last eight playoff games, including all four at home, stopping 113 of 118 shots (.958 percentage) at Rogers Place. The Panthers are scoring 3.83 goals per game across 18 postseason games in 2025.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Picks up Game 1 win
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Skinner stopped 29 of 32 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Skinner and the Oilers found themselves down 3-1 early in the second period, but the 26-year-old netminder shut the door from there. Leon Draisaitl completed Edmonton's comeback on a power play late in overtime after Florida's Tomas Nosek was penalized for delay of game. Skinner has rattled off five straight wins, allowing a total of eight goals on 137 shots in that span, so he is dialed in at the right time. He's a virtual guarantee to be between the pipes Friday for Game 2.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Suiting up in Game 1
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Skinner will guard the cage at home for Game 1 versus the Panthers on Wednesday, per Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton.
Skinner will face off against Sergei Bobrovsky in a rematch of last season's Stanley Cup Finals. Over his last seven outings, the 26-year-old Skinner has recorded three shutouts while posting a 6-1 record and 1.41 GAA. Given his recent performances, Skinner should be given some leash if he puts up a disappointing performance, though Calvin Pickard is waiting for another opportunity and returning from injury.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Four-game win streak
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Skinner made 14 saves in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.
Skinner heads back for another run at Lord Stanley after enduring a tumultuous regular season and postseason. There are many who think he'd still be on bench if Calvin Pickard, who took the blue paint earlier in the playoffs, hadn't gotten hurt. However, Skinner has battled, regained his confidence and gotten better. He has won four straight games, including one by shutout, and he heads into the Stanley Cup Finals against Florida with a 6-4 record (10 games) with a 2.52 GAA and .904 save percentage. Three of his postseason wins have come by shutout.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Starting Game 5
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Skinner will patrol the visiting crease in Dallas for Game 5 on Thursday, per Tony Brar of Oilers TV.
Skinner has been sensational of late, going 5-1 with a 1.15 GAA and a .957 save percentage. Skinner has allowed only two goals in his last three games versus the Stars, turning aside 86 shots. The Stars have tallied 42 goals in 17 playoff games this season, averaging 2.47 goals per contest.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Sharp again in Game 4
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Skinner allowed a goal on 29 shots in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Stars in Game 4.
Skinner continues to have the upper hand in the Western Conference Finals. He's allowed just two goals on 88 shots over the last three games, winning all of them to put the Oilers a victory away from returning to the Stanley Cup Finals. After some early doubts about his abilities, Skinner looks locked in as Edmonton's top goalie even with Calvin Pickard healthy enough to serve as backup Tuesday. Game 5 is Thursday in Dallas.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Cruises to Game 3 win
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Skinner stopped 33 of 34 shots in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Stars in Game 3.
Skinner has now won four of his last five games, allowing just six goals in that span. The only goal against him came on a deflected shot, with Jason Robertson getting credit for the tally. Skinner's inconsistency in the postseason is mildly concerning, but it's easy to overlook when he's in a groove like he is currently. He'll likely get the nod again in Game 4 on Tuesday with a chance to give the Oilers a 3-1 series lead.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: In goal for Game 3
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Skinner will patrol the home crease against Dallas on Sunday in Game 3, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.
Skinner is coming off a 25-save performance in Friday's 3-0 shutout win over the Stars. He has posted a 3-4 record with three shutouts, a 2.90 GAA and an .890 save percentage through seven appearances this postseason. Dallas has registered only 2.67 goals per game this playoffs.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Between pipes for Game 2
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Skinner will patrol the visiting crease for Game 2 in Dallas on Friday, according to Tony Brar of Oilers TV.
Skinner gave up five goals on 27 shots in Game 1 on Wednesday after recording back-to-back shutouts in the final pair of games versus Vegas in the second round. The 26-year-old is 2-4 with a 3.39 GAA and an .872 save percentage across six playoff appearances in 2025. The netminder was 1-2-0 during the regular season versus Dallas, allowing 11 goals on 69 shots. The Stars have generated 2.86 goals per game over 14 playoff contests.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Set to face Dallas
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Skinner is expected to start on the road against Dallas on Wednesday for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, per Tony Brar of Oilers TV.
The Oilers' decision isn't particularly surprising. While Skinner has been mediocre overall in the 2025 playoffs with a 2-3 record, 3.05 GAA and .884 save percentage across five appearances, he's coming off back-to-back shutouts, so it makes perfect sense to give him this assignment. However, Skinner struggled against Dallas during the 2024-25 regular season, posting a 3.99 GAA and an .841 save percentage in three outings.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Redemption arc continues in Game 5
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Skinner posted a 24-save shutout in Wednesday's 1-0 overtime win over the Golden Knights in Game 5.
Skinner has stepped up in the biggest way possible while Calvin Pickard (undisclosed) has missed the last two games. Skinner shut out the Golden Knights in Games 4 and 5, finishing off the series win to send the Oilers back to the Western Conference Finals. At this point, it's tough to tell which goalie will get the starts once Pickard is healthy, as Skinner's recent play has put him back on track after a horrendous start to the postseason cost him the starting job. The Oilers will have at least a little time to rest up before the next round, as they're the first to advance.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Starting Game 4
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Skinner will protect the home net against Vegas on Monday in Game 4, Derek Van Diest of NHL.com reports.
Skinner is coming off a 20-save effort in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 3. He has posted a record of 0-3 with a 5.36 GAA and an .817 save percentage while allowing 15 goals on 82 shots in 168:02 of playing time this postseason. Calvin Pickard (undisclosed) will miss his second straight outing and remains day-to-day.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Awful again in Game 2
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Skinner stopped 23 of 28 shots in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Kings in Game 2.
Skinner made it about halfway through the third period before he was replaced by Calvin Pickard, who allowed the sixth and final goal against. With 11 goals allowed on 58 shots over two playoff contests, Skinner simply isn't getting the job done. The Oilers have yet to name a starting goalie for Friday's Game 3, but it could go either way at this point, as they can't afford to fall into a 3-0 hole in the series with how leaky they've been at the back.
