The Edmonton Oilers have Stanley Cup aspirations after narrowly losing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season in heartbreaking fashion. To get there again, goaltender Stuart Skinner needs to be much better. The trade deadline has passed, so no reinforcements or upgrades are coming. The organization trusts the tandem of Skinner and Calvin Pickard to get the job done, which is unnerving for most fans. Skinner has had a very underwhelming season, posting a 24-18-4 record with a 2.91 goals-against average (GAA) and an .894 save percentage (SV%) through 49 games. Those numbers aren’t nearly good enough, and he must step up if Edmonton hopes to raise Lord Stanley in June.
Related: 3 Reasons the Oilers Should Not Trade Stuart Skinner
The Oilers’ netminder missed the last two games after getting injured in the third period on Wednesday (March 26) against the Dallas Stars after Mikko Rantanen’s knee caught him in the head. He’s currently listed as day-to-day, with Edmonton having a massive four-game road trip ahead. It’s uncertain whether he’ll play this week, but when he’s back between the pipes, he needs to find his game and figure it out. This is his crease, and he will be a huge reason why Edmonton will find success. He doesn’t need to be perfect, but he can’t be a liability.
Skinner’s Inconsistencies Are Concerning
Inconsistencies have plagued Skinner throughout his career. In the 2023-24 season, he had three months over a .900 SV% and four months under a .900 SV%. Then this season, he only has two months over a .900 SV% and four months under a .900 SV%. That’s the definition of inconsistent. Despite that, Edmonton is still in a battle with the Los Angeles Kings for second place in the Pacific Division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. But where would they be with consistent goaltending?
His inconsistencies were prevalent in the playoffs last season. He was good against the Kings, but almost cost them the series against the Vancouver Canucks. Edmonton would’ve been eliminated if Pickard hadn’t saved the day. Then, Skinner stole Game 6 against the Dallas Stars with a 33-save performance to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final. But he struggled in the first three games against the Florida Panthers before bouncing back in the next three games. However, in Game 7, Sam Reinhart’s eventual Cup-winning goal should’ve been stopped. The Oilers’ goaltender was a rollercoaster of emotions during that playoff run, and his inconsistent play was ultimately Edmonton’s downfall.
Skinner is often the second-best goalie on the ice most nights, and that’s a problem. Before getting injured against the Stars, he gave up four goals on 21 shots for an abysmal .810 SV%. He gave up a breakaway goal to Wyatt Johnston, which gave Dallas an early 1-0 lead, despite Edmonton dominating that first period. A few minutes later, goaltender Jake Oettinger stoned Zach Hyman on a breakaway to preserve that lead. Oettinger made a big save, and Skinner didn’t, which is frequently the difference-maker in these games. You need your goaltender to come up with big saves, which hasn’t happened nearly enough for Edmonton.
He showed frustration during the second period of his last start and broke his stick on the bench. The even-keeled netminder usually doesn’t show emotion like that, but he’s clearly unhappy with his game, and rightfully so. Hopefully, this injury time off is a blessing in disguise so he can reset and bounce back.
Skinner Has the Ability to Get Hot
Skinner was phenomenal during Edmonton’s historic 16-game winning streak last season. He can get hot and go on a run, but we haven’t seen that yet this season. The 26-year-old netminder had a perfect 9-0-0 record with an impeccable 1.33 GAA and .953 SV% last January. He didn’t allow more than two goals in any of those games, only giving up one goal in six of those starts. He was dialled in and helped get the team back into the playoff picture. The Edmonton native has proven that he can get hot in the past, so now he needs to do it. The Oilers require that production from him heading into the postseason, and if they don’t get it, it might be a short playoff run.
The great Harry Neale once said, “goaltending is 75% of your hockey team, unless you don’t have it. Then it’s 100%.” Right now, Skinner doesn’t have it. However, his poor season can be forgiven with an excellent stretch run into the playoffs, culminating with a Stanley Cup championship. But if the Oilers want to get there, Skinner has to figure it out ASAP. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can only take them so far.
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