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Oilers' Kris Knoblauch Raises Eyebrows With Stuart Skinner Comments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated May 11, 2025 6:19 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers dropped a complete heartbreaker in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights. With 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation, Vegas was able to generate the game-winning goal, cutting the series deficit down to 2-1.

Edmonton was playing the game with Stuart Skinner in the net after goalie Calvin Pickard was ruled out due to injury. Pickard had won each game that he started, while Skinner has seen some issues this postseason.

Skinner allowed four goals on 24 shots, opening the door for the Golden Knights to take the game. But after the game, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch defended his goalie, saying that the defense needed to be better in front of him.

“I think Stuart made some really big saves, especially in the third period,” Knoblauch said. “He made a really good one, made some other ones early in the game on the penalty kill. “Like Game 1 and 2 early in the L.A. series, we just need to be better in front of him.”

Game 3 against the Golden Knights was the first game for Skinner since Game 2 of the first round against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner allowed five goals on 28 shots before Edmonton benched him for Pickard.

Skinner has struggled this postseason, putting up a 5.36 goals-against average and .817 save percentage over three games. However, history has shown that he can perform well in the playoffs, having led this Oilers team to the Stanley Cup Final last season.

During that run, Skinner went 14-9 with a 2.45 GAA and .901 save percentage during the 2024 postseason. If the Oilers want to avoid going back to Las Vegas tied, they are going to need a massive performance from Skinner in Game 4.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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