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Report: Stuart Skinner expected to start game six for the Edmonton Oilers

Originally posted on The Oil Rig | By Khalid Keshavjee | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 4:14 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers have played both of their two netminders throughout this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, with both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard featuring and winning for the team throughout stretches.

While Pickard has played in both of the last two games, coming in to relieve Skinner and pick up an overtime win in game four, then play in net in the 5–2 loss in game five, reports are circulating that Skinner will be back between the pipes in game six.

We are hearing that Stuart Skinner will start in game 6 for the @EdmontonOilers in Florida on Tuesday night vs the @FlaPanthers

Skinner is 9-1-0 in games 4 through 7 & he’s 3-1-0 when the @StanleyCup is in the building the last 2 years. #LetsGoOilers #TimeToHunt #StanleyCup
— 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast (@2MuttsHockeyPod) June 16, 2025

Why go back to Stuart Skinner?

While he has not been perfect, Skinner has gotten the Oilers to this point this year. He was their starter all season long, featuring in 51 games this year and recording 26 wins in the regular season. Even through the playoffs, he has been their guy, and while his numbers are far from outstanding, when he is on, the Oilers look unbeatable.

It’s hard to blame Skinner for most of the goals that he has allowed. While he and Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky have each allowed five high-danger goals against each, Skinner is facing shots on average nearly nine feet closer to his net. The defence in front of him has not been as tight, and he has faced several odd-man rushes against, which is hard to blame him for.

Hockey is a team sport, and the Oilers need to tighten up their blueline if they are to win the next game tomorrow night to extend the series. In a make-or-break situation like this, the Oilers need to go back to the guy who got them there, and that means going back to Skinner. Whatever happens, win or loss, this is the call the Oilers need to make.

This article first appeared on The Oil Rig and was syndicated with permission.

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