On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Bobrovsky vs. Skinner: Who has the edge in net for the Stanley Cup Final?
Once again, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will meet in the Stanley Cup Final. Last season, the Panthers triumphed in Game 7 after a near-miraculous comeback by the Oilers.
This June, Connor McDavid and company will look to turn their fortunes around. While there have been some changes to both teams' rosters, one thing remains the same: goaltenders Stuart Skinner (Edmonton) and Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida) will once again dual.
With these two front and center, let's further examine the netminders to see who has the edge.
Résumé: Bobrovsky
Bobrovsky is a sure fire Hall of Famer and has the trophy case to back it up. In addition to last year's Stanley Cup, he also has two Vezina Trophies and is a two-time All-Star. He's considered one of the greatest goalies of his era and sports a career .914 save percentage.
Skinner, on the other hand, has had an up and down career. After a solid rookie season in 2022-23 that saw him place second in the Calder Trophy voting, his save percentage has dipped every year, from .913 to .905 to this season's .896.
Bobrovsky certainly edges out Skinner for in the career résumé department.
Playoff history: Bobrovsky
Bobrovsky also gets the nod for his overall postseason play. Since 2023, of goalies who have played in more than 20 postseason games, Bobrovsky's .911 save percentage ranks third and his six shutouts are first overall. He also placed fourth in last season's Conn Smythe voting after helping lead the Panthers to a Cup.
Skinner, on the other hand, has seen up and down results similar to his regular season play. He's been benched and pulled multiple times in his career, including both this postseason and last. His career .897 save percentage leaves much to be desired as well.
Overall, Bobrovsky has a much bigger body of work. While Skinner has struggled at times in the postseason, he does seem to step up his game as the playoffs go on, which should be noted.
Recent play: Tie
Bobrovsky was excellent in the Eastern Conference Final against Carolina, going 4-1 and sporting a .935 save percentage. Additionally, since Game 3 against Toronto, he hasn't allowed more than three goals in a game. For the Panthers, Bobrovsky's hot streak will be incredibly important to stopping Edmonton's high powered offense.
On the other side, Skinner has been elite since he was pulled in Game 2 against Los Angeles and re-entered the starter's net in Game 3 versus Vegas.
After a very tough start, Stuart Skinner has found his game and posted the league’s best save percentage on shots off the rush & shots from the slot since May 12 pic.twitter.com/TTAcgMcnHT
— Meghan Chayka (@MeghanChayka) June 2, 2025
Ultimately, both goaltenders have been superb the past few weeks. Given the defensive play of both teams as well, it should be tough to get the puck past either goalie.
Overall: Bobrovsky
While Skinner's recent play does make this close, Bobrovsky gets the edge in this goaltender comparison. Going into his third straight Stanley Cup Final, his overall experience, postseason play and stellar series against the Hurricanes gives him a leg up against Skinner.
More must-reads:
- Conn Smythe rankings as Stanley Cup Final begins: Oilers stars lead the way
- Why Oilers will finally end Canada’s 32-year Stanley Cup drought
- The 'Last Stanley Cup Playoff shutout for each NHL franchise' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Seven potential trade destinations for Jason Robertson
Mike Matheson may not be in the Montreal Canadiens’ long-term plans, but he fits the lineup now Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson has a year left on his contract and it still an important piece to their blue line. Lane Hutson will need a new deal after next season, and it could exceed Noah Dobson’s $9.5 million. Ivan Demidov will need a huge deal in two years. The Canadiens top four beyond next season will likely consist of Hutson and Kaiden Guhle on the left side and Dobson and David Reinbacher on the right. Right-handed Alexandre Carrier has two years left, and they have LHD of Jayden Struble (RFA) and Arber Xhakaj (one year away from RFA). NHLRumors: Rossi and Wild at Contract Impasse Potential trade destinations for Jason Robertson Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet: A look at seven teams that could be potential trade destinations for Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson. The 25-year-old Robertson carries a $7.75 million cap hit for one more season. He’ll be an RFA after next year and would be a UFA the following year. He doesn’t have any trade protection but does have some leverage if he were to indicate whether he’d sign an extension with a potential team acquiring him or not. Los Angeles Kings – Hometown team, and they could be looking to add more scoring. Immediate business for the Kings is that they need to re-sign RFA Alex Laferriere, and Adrian Kempe is extension-eligible. Carolina Hurricanes – Already signed Nikolaj Ehlers, but could use some more scoring. Could the Stars reacquire some of the picks they sent in the Mikko Rantanen deal? Washington Capitals – Would need to move out some salary, and could be some scoring insurance depending on Alex Ovechkin’s future. Additional scoring for next year would be welcomed. Columbus Blue Jackets – Would the Stars be interested in winger Dmitri Voronkov? The Blue Jackets made him available in Noah Dobson trade talks. Detroit Red Wings – The Red Wings may need to go the trade route to add scoring, as they weren’t even able to talk to UFAs they would have been interested in. Seattle Kraken – The Kraken could use some high-end scoring. Have the cap space and multiple first-round picks in the next two drafts. Utah Mammoth – If the Stars are looking for a current NHLer in the return, maybe Nick Schmaltz at $5.85 million could fit into their top-six. The Mammoth have three 2026 second-round picks and prospects as well.
Packers Get Worrisome Update on $77 Million Offensive Lineman
The Packers are banking on the offensive line making big strides this season, but may have suffered a setback during one of the first practices of training camp. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Aaron Banks went down with some sort of injury midway through Thursday’s practice. “Left guard Aaron Banks, who signed a four-year, $77 million contract in the offseason, did not finish the practice,” Demovsky noted for ESPN. “He appeared to drop out halfway through the one-hour, 54-minute session. He remained on the field with a helmet on but did not return.” The severity of whatever ailment Banks suffered is unknown at this time, but if he is forced to miss any meaningful practice time it could deal a blow to the Packers trying to build a strong chemistry and cohesion up front. Last season, for the San Francisco 49ers, Banks allowed just one sack but his 25 pressures ranked 105th in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
Pelicans' exec makes team's stance on Zion Williamson crystal clear
It’s wild how quickly the NBA narrative can flip. A year ago, Zion Williamson was in every trade rumor possible. People were questioning his health, his work ethic, even his future in New Orleans. And the Pelicans? They didn’t really deny any of it. It felt like both sides were one step away from walking. But things have shifted this offseason — quietly, but clearly. The Pelicans could’ve pulled the plug. Zion’s contract gave them outs, and the trade market might’ve still brought back some real value. Instead, they stuck with him. And based on what one of their own just said, they’re not just keeping him around — they’re still betting big on him. In a recent interview with Spotrac’s Keith Smith, an anonymous Pelicans executive made it crystal clear. “Zion is still our guy. We’re all in on him. We think he’s going to have a huge year. We’ve had some bad injury luck and some things that just haven’t worked out. This partnership hasn’t even come close to reaching our best yet.” That’s not something you say if you’re halfway in. They backed it up with their offseason moves, too. They traded CJ McCollum and brought in Jordan Poole, a high-usage creator who can take pressure off Zion. They drafted Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick, a dynamic young guard. They added Kevon Looney, a reliable veteran who brings playoff experience and toughness. Those aren’t tear-it-down moves — those are “let’s try this another way” moves. Of course, Zion’s health is still the question. That never really goes away. He played just 30 games last season, but in those games he looked solid: 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per night on 56.7 percent shooting. The explosiveness was there. The playmaking was sharp. And the hope for New Orleans is that this time, he can finally sustain it. What’s interesting is how the front office is trying to create a better environment around him. Joe Dumars has stepped in to lead basketball operations and is reportedly building a closer relationship with Zion — dinners, real conversations, not just surface-level stuff. It feels like, for once, the team is trying to meet him halfway. It’s a risk, sure. But it’s a calculated one. The West is brutal and the margin for error is thin. Still, if Zion can stay healthy for 60 games, and if Poole finds a rhythm and guys like Trey Murphy and Herb Jones keep improving — this team has a shot to be in the mix. The quote from the exec says it all. They could’ve hit reset, moved on, cleaned house. But they didn’t. They’re still in. And now it’s on Zion to hold up his end of the deal. After everything that’s happened, they’re telling the world they still believe. Now it’s time to find out if they’re right.
These Two Raiders' Relationship Got Off to a Rocky Start
Over the offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders have emphasized the importance of growing closer as a team. The Raiders have taken steps on and off the field to help cultivate a more competitive and team-oriented environment. It appears to be working. The bond between Maxx Crosby and Jackson Powers-Johnson has been evident to teammates and coaches, as the two often collaborate to improve their respective skill sets. Crosby is the leader of the team, and Powers-Johnson has quickly developed into a leader on the offensive side of the ball. Both players mutually respect the other's game, but although they are close friends now, Crosby noted it was not always that way. "Yeah, it's funny. It's something, like to be 100% real, like last year, I mean me and Jackson did not have a great relationship," Crosby said. "I'm hard on guys, especially young dudes. Like, there's respect that's got to be earned when you come into this league, in this locker room, especially. Like, there's a certain standard I expect from the guys, and he did a lot - like the amount of growth he's had in the last year has been unbelievable. If I were sitting here a year ago and you would have told me all the stuff he did this offseason to get himself in this position he's in, I truly wouldn't believe you, but that's the beauty in this game. After spending last season at guard and center, Powers-Johnson entered the offseason programs as the team's starting center. Powers-Johnson is expected to develop into one of the Raiders' most dependable offensive linemen. After the second day of training camp, Powers-Johnson elaborated on Crosby's words from the day before. "I mean, coming in, I had a lot of rough trials. I missed a little training camp, missed a little bit of Organized Team Activities. I came in not proven, so in his eyes, I look at and see, 'Oh here's a second-round pick who hasn't really proved anything.' And then I ended up proving a little bit in-season, a little bit of my work, and really putting in a lot of work in the offseason with him," Powers-Johnson said. "I mean, you got to think of it -- you're not just going to meet a girl and she's going to love you right away. You got to take her out to dinner a couple of times, meet her parents, and then maybe she'll love you. So I just had to put in the work." Find us on X (formerly Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and Instagram @HondoSr and weigh in on this take. While here, check out our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE to discuss this take
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
