Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Squanders lead in season opener
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Skinner stopped 19 of 22 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Flames.
A couple of bad bounces led to the Flames' first two goals, but it was Skinner's own puck-handling mishap early in the third that led to the tying tally. He then stopped six of eight shootout attempts, but Dustin Wolf was one save better, leaving Skinner on the hook for a frustrating loss to open the season. The 26-year-old can't afford many blunders this year, as the spotlight has already been on him for his playoff struggles despite the team's overall success. Should Skinner go through an extended slump, Calvin Pickard could earn an even split of time in the crease, or the Oilers could opt to make a move to upgrade their goaltending altogether. The Oilers are back in action at home versus the Canucks on Saturday.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: In goal Wednesday
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Skinner will get the starting nod at home versus the Flames on Wednesday, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.
Skinner has reached the 50-game mark in each of his previous three seasons and figures to do so again in 2025-26. Despite the heavy workload, the 26-year-old backstop has just one 30-win campaign, though with the team around him, he should be in the mix to reach that threshold again this year.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Returns to practice Sunday
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Skinner (flu) worked as the Oilers' top netminder during Sunday's practice session, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.
Skinner missed Friday's preseason game against the Canucks, but his role during Sunday's practice suggests that he's moved past his illness ahead of the regular season. It seems likely that Skinner will be in net for Wednesday's Opening Night matchup against Calgary.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Unavailable Friday
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Skinner (flu) will miss Friday's preseason game against Vancouver, per the NHL media site.
Skinner was initially scheduled to start against the Canucks, but Calvin Pickard will play between the pipes instead. The 26-year-old Skinner should still be in net for Edmonton's regular-season opener against Calgary on Wednesday, provided he's healthy in time for that clash.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Questionable Friday
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Skinner is battling the flu bug and may not be able to play against Vancouver in preseason action Friday, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports.
Skinner was scheduled to start, but that may be in doubt. If he is unable to go, Calvin Pickard is in line for the start, with the Oilers likely recalling a goaltender from the minors. Skinner was shaky last season, going 26-18-4 with a 2.81 GAA and an .896 save percentage over 51 regular-season appearances.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Starting preseason finale
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Skinner will tend the twine on the road versus Vancouver on Friday, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.
Skinner will get one final tune-up before Opening Night versus the Flames on Oct. 8. The 26-year-old backstop has featured in at least 50 games in each of the last three seasons but has only reached the 30-win mark once during that stretch. While his GAA last season remained below three (2.81), it marked a career worst for the Edmonton native.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Scheduled to start Sunday
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Skinner is expected to start Sunday's exhibition game versus the Canucks.
The plan is for Skinner to play all three periods in Sunday's tune-up game against a divisional foe. The 26-year-old conceded three goals on 18 shots in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Kraken. Skinner posted a 26-18-4 record with three shutouts, an .896 save percentage and a 2.81 GAA over 51 regular-season outings in 2024-25.
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Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Gets nod Wednesday
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Skinner is expected to get the home start for Wednesday's preseason game against Seattle.
Samuel Jonsson will serve as Skinner's understudy, and the duo might end up splitting the workload given that this is an early preseason game. Skinner is expected to start the campaign as Edmonton's clear No. 1 goaltender and will likely get more than 50 regular-season appearances as long as he stays healthy.
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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: 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: 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.
