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Connor McDavid Calls Out Fans and Insiders for a Specific Reason After Last Night's Series Clincher

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated May 15, 2025 9:55 AM ET

After last night's thrilling series clincher by the Oilers, Connor McDavid spoke to reporters and called out all those who didn't have faith in Stuart Skinner.

Before the second-round series opened, Connor McDavid said the Edmonton Oilers 'owed Vegas a series.'

After a Game 5 victory against the Golden Knights to move on, the captain once more was in headlines, supporting goaltender Stuart Skinner in this case.

Skinner replaced Calvin Pickard due to an injury, but a shaky Game 3 drew flak from fans about whether he could push the Oilers to the next round of the playoffs.

Following uneven games against the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1, doubts about Skinner's confidence lingered.

Make that two shutouts in a row for Skinner

He swiftly silenced critics in Game 4, posting a shutout with 23 saved shots. Skinner was stoic and composed in Game 5, telling Sportsnet's Gene Principe afterwards that he felt calmer than ever in the playoffs.

'I had a feeling of peace tonight,' Skinner said.

His stats in career series clinching games prove that he's relaxed: a 5-1 record, 1.97 goals-against average, and a .926 save percentage, one of which was a shutout.

McDavid was blunt when asked about Skinner's play, letting the detractors of his goalie know he has no question about him.

'Hopefully it shuts a lot of people up who were talking about him '.
- Connor McDavid

Teammate Darnell Nurse echoed that confidence, saying the team has complete faith in him.

'He's a special goaltender in the league.'
- Darnell Nurse

Skinner has now played 127 consecutive minutes without giving up a goal, the same moment the Oilers are about to enter the Western Conference Final to face either the Dallas Stars or the Winnipeg Jets.

Who is in net first, Skinner or Pickard, is going to remain to be seen, but Skinner's play lately makes a good case for himself.

Although he has been playing well, many fans might still prefer Pickard. But right now, Skinner appears to be the man for the task.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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