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Oilers' Stuart Skinner Assigns Blame for Loss to Golden Knights

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated May 11, 2025 1:43 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers dropped a heartbreaking game to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 of their playoff series. With 0.4 seconds remaining in the game, Vegas scored the game-winning goal to stun the Oilers' home crowd.

Edmonton now leads the series 2-1, but they were so close to at least having a chance in overtime to go up 3-0. Now, the Oilers will need to respond in Game 4, otherwise, they run the risk of heading back to Vegas tied 2-2.

The Oilers were without goalie Calvin Pickard as he suffered an injury ahead of the contest. Backup Stuart Skinner took his place and had a tough loss in his return to the ice.

After the game, Skinner spoke about the game, discussing the blame for the loss.

“That’s a goalie’s job, just to give your team a chance to win every night. I thought I did,” Skinner said. “Just a couple tough bounces here and there. We had a good bounce that kind of went off a skate and went in. Those types of things happen. I was happy that I was able to make a couple of big saves when we needed it, but I wasn’t able to finish it out."

Skinner hadn't seen the ice since Game 2 of the first round against the Los Angeles Kings. Edmonton had benched him in favor of Pickard, and the Oilers hadn't lost a game with Pickard in the net.

But with the status of Pickard unknown, the Oilers may have to rely on Skinner again in Game 4. The next game between these two teams is scheduled for Monday, May 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET.

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

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