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Edmonton Oilers' Stuart Skinner voices frustration after getting pulled from game

Originally posted on Oilers Daily | By Liam McCormick | Last updated Mar 24, 2025 10:33 AM ET

Stuart Skinner was pulled out of the Edmonton Oilers' loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday by the NHL's concussion spotters, and he has since voiced his frustration over the decision.

Skinner was pulled with less than five minutes left in regulation in a tied game, which put Calvin Pickard in the most difficult position possible.

Stuart Skinner voices frustration to NHL for pulling him out of game

Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi stumbled backwards softly into Stuart Skinner, a contact that didn't seem forceful enough to cause a serious injury.

Vilardi did bump Skinner's head and he fell back into the net, but it didn't seem enough to be concerned about a concussion. Nevertheless, concussion spotters made their decision by their protocol, and forced Skinner out of the net.

Skinner was visibly frustrated walking down the tunnel into the locker room, and Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch echoed the same frustrations when he spoke to media following the game.

Skinner met with media over the weekend and again said he felt there was no reason to pull him from the game, saying he felt entirely fine the entire time.

"I felt totally fine. I was just kind of shook up with the play. Obviously when you get knocked over, you got some adrenaline going so you just want to take a second. I took a second, got back up, totally fine.

"When that happens, I have no control over it. It is what it is. It is really tough, it is frustrating for sure. It's five minutes left, you're playing the best team in the league. Potentially going into overtime, and it puts Calvin in a really tough spot."

- Stuart Skinner

The game ended up going to overtime, and put Calvin Pickard in a tough spot, which did result in a loss. S

This article first appeared on Oilers Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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