The Edmonton Oilers pulled goaltender Stuart Skinner for the second time in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs after allowing a fourth goal in the second period of Monday's Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Skinner played just over 32 minutes when Golden Knights star Jack Eichel came down the ice on a 2-on-1 and beat the Calder Trophy candidate glove-side to give Vegas a 4-1 lead.
The rookie netminder had made 19 saves before being pulled in favour of backup Jack Campbell.
After Edmonton dominated Game 2, the Golden Knights came out and flipped the script Monday. Jonathan Marchessault scored twice in the opening period before Zach Whitecloud and Eichel found the back of the net in the second.
The Oilers and head coach Jay Woodcroft last removed Skinner from the middle of a game in a series-shifting overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings on April 24.
In that Game 4 win, Campbell made 27 saves on 28 shots, sparking Edmonton's comeback from down 3-0 to even the series 2-2.
Before Monday's game, Skinner had posted an .895 save percentage and 3.32 goals against average in the Oilers' eight playoff games.
The Golden Knights are also finishing Game 3 with a backup goalie after Laurent Brossoit left the first period with an injury and was replaced by Adin Hill.
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