Lost in the magical run by the Edmonton Oilers is the play of their netminder.
Stuart Skinner has been chastised for his poor play in big moments, but during the team’s 13-game win streak, he has played good enough to get the Oilers into playoff contention, and then some.
The former Swift Current Bronco has won each of his last 10 starts, giving up more than two goals just once, including posting a shutout back on Dec. 28 against the San Jose Sharks. His best outing came on Jan. 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers, when Stuart turned away 37 of the 39 shots he faced.
However, the lingering question is if this new wave of consistency will stick with the 25-year-old? Maybe this run of games will give Skinner the necessary confidence to propel him into playing like a No. 1 guy, not just because he was handed the job after the Jack Campbell fiasco.
Skinner is 21-9-0 in 31 starts this season with a 2.53 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage and two shutouts. Edmonton (26-15-1) is third in the Pacific Division, 15 points back of the Vancouver Canucks for first, but four clear of being out of the postseason.
On Tuesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Carter Hutton joined the show to talk about Skinner’s recent play.
Carter Hutton: I think the way things started to start the year, the way Jack Campbell was playing, all this pressure on Stuart Skinner…the team struggling, everyone trying to do too much. Now, you see an Edmonton Oilers team that is playing by committee. There not just relying on their superstars…and for Stuart Skinner he’s going into games with confidence, knowing that he doesn’t have to do too much.
His numbers are definitely a bit inflated, but good for him to bounce back and solidify this team.
You can watch the entire segment, and the full episode here…
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