Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch summed up his team’s predicament in four simple words: “We need more saves.”
Unfortunately for the Oilers, Stuart Skinner has had a difficult time doing that in the playoffs. After allowing four goals on 15 shots through two periods Sunday, Skinner has an .877 save percentage in eight post-season starts. He let in 2.57 goals above expected in the Oilers’ 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, bringing his total in these playoffs to 8.46 (1.09 extra goals allowed per 60 minutes).
The Oilers have done their part defensively. Skinner has seen 16.9 scoring chances per 60 in the playoffs — the fewest among 20 goaltenders who have played at least 100 minutes. He has faced 14.7 scoring chances against per 60 in the second round.
Skinner’s playoff struggles date back to last season, when the then-rookie goaltender was pulled three times during Edmonton’s six-game series loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He ranks near the bottom of several important categories over the past two post-seasons.
For whatever reason, Skinner, who won a franchise-record 12 consecutive games earlier this season and was voted to the league’s All-Rookie team in 2022-23, has been unable to carry over his regular-season success to the post-season.
On Sunday night, Knoblauch did not commit to starting Skinner in Game 4 on Tuesday. When asked about it Monday, Knoblauch said he will announce his starter Tuesday morning.
“We’ll see what he’s got in the future, whether that’s Game 4 or Game 5 or whatever it is,” Knoblauch told reporters after the loss Sunday. “But we’ll be seeing (Skinner) again, and we have no doubt that he’ll respond and play well.”
The Oilers have limited options. There is Calvin Pickard, who made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in relief of Skinner on Sunday and faced three shots. Knoblauch could also go with Jack Campbell, who allowed five goals on 35 shots in his lone playoff start for the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors last month. Campbell allowed 20 goals in five early-season starts with the Oilers before being exiled to the minor leagues.
Truthfully, Skinner is the best choice, and that is a problem for the Oilers. They do not have unlimited opportunities to win the Stanley Cup with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who have done all they can to bring it back to Edmonton.
If Skinner does not get his game in order, another Oilers season will be wasted.
“I’ve got to be able to find that … little bit more, that one more save,” Skinner told reporters Monday. “I believe that if I do that, I can just get in the flow of things and (will) be able to start playing better.”
All stats via Sportlogiq
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