Edmonton Oilers Goaltending Still an Issue in the Playoffs

With Game 4 of the Oilers second-round series against the Vancouver Canucks approaching, Edmonton is making a goalie change. Stuart Skinner, the Oilers’ number one goalie, is being benched in favor of Calvin Pickard.

Who would have thought that in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it would be the battle of the backups between Arturs Silovs and Calvin Pickard? The Edmonton Oilers are making a goaltending switch because of Stuart Skinner‘s poor play.

In the first three games of this series, he has given up 12 goals. Over those three games, Skinner has a .789 save percentage with a 4.63 goals-against average. And if you go back to the series’ final game against the Los Angeles Kings, Skinner has given up 15 goals in his past four games.

Through eight games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stuart Skinner has a record of 5-3 with a 3.22 goals against average and a .877 save percentage. There were two games in which Skinner was brilliant. They both came in Round 1 against the Los Angeles Kings and were Oilers victories.

Skinner pitched a .962 save percentage in Game 3 and a 1.000 save percentage in Game 4, pitching a shutout. Outside of those two games, Skinner recorded a sub- .900 save percentage. That is not good enough to win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Through eight games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stuart Skinner has a record of 5-3 with a 3.22 goals against average and a .877 save percentage. Those numbers will not get it done when the lights shine the brightest.

It was similar in Round 2 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights. But it started in Round 1 against those same Los Angeles Kings. Skinner was pulled in Game 4 of Round 1 in 2023, and Jack Campbell, yeah, that Jack Campbell, came in to replace and save the Oilers season.

FULL PRESS HOCKEY: Edmonton Oilers Patience Paying Huge Dividends

Campbell then relieved Skinner three times in the second round of the playoffs, letting up 1 goal on 23 shots faced. However, he did not sniff a start. The Oilers thought Skinner could turn it around. He did not. And while it was not the reason they lost in 2023, continually starting Skinner played a role in their exit to the Vegas Golden Knights.

This year, Jack Campbell is not there. He went to the AHL, though he is in Edmonton and was around the team. Unfortunately, he is not seeing action. That tells you how much faith they have in Campbell.

However, after a poor start in Game 3, the Oilers know the runway is not very long. They are two games away from being eliminated again. Thus, head coach Kris Knoblauch is not taking any chances and making a goalie. If you look at the numbers, Skinner has shown the ability to bounce back. In 10 starts following a rough outing, he has a record of 10-1. But in the playoffs, Skinner has a losing record.

Not to mention, Skinner is being outplayed by Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs. When the Canucks need a save, Silovs is there. Unfortunately, Skinner is not giving the Oilers those same saves. Go back to Game 1 when the Oilers were up 4-1 and lost 5-4. Just one save here or there, and the Oilers are up in the series.

Instead, they find themselves playing catch-up again. Thus, the Edmonton Oilers are making a goaltending change. The team can’t simply risk Stuart Skinner being on a short lease.

It’s all or nothing for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4. Unless something changes, goaltending will be why the best duo in the NHL, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, get eliminated early again and fail to win a Stanley Cup.