Of the many reasons the Edmonton Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Final, one would certainly not have been on anyone’s radar a couple of weeks ago.
When the Oilers fell behind the Vancouver Canucks, 2-1, in the Pacific Division Final, Stuart Skinner was replaced by Calvin Pickard after some poor play. However, Skinner got back in net for Game 6, and helped Edmonton win the series. The former Swift Current Bronco then outdueled Dallas Stars netminder Jake Oettinger in the Western Conference Final, helping Edmonton advance to the Final for the first time since 2006.
It is nothing short of impressive to see the turnaround for Skinner, a goaltender often criticized for his inconsistent play over the last couple of seasons. Since returning to the lineup, he has posted a 1.81 goals-against average and a .920 SV%. If he can keep playing the way he has been against the Florida Panthers, the Oilers have a good chance to ending Canada’s Stanley Cup drought.
On Wednesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, former NHL goaltender Ben Hutton joined Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk to talk about Skinner’s turnaround this postseason.
Carter Hutton: I think there’s that experience of what he’s gone through in the past two years. This wasn’t the goalie that was supposed to get thrust into the limelight. They signed Jack Campbell to be the guy, [Skinner] was supposed to be the guy kind of groomed into this position. I think dealing with his early-season struggles, the early reset there…What I see in Stuart Skinner is when he is calm, when he’s patient, he’s deep in his net, he’s hard to beat. He fills up a lot of space.
I think [the Oilers] have done a great job of insulating him. Looking at the matchup in Round 3…against Oettinger, everyone said, “Well, Oettinger is the favorite.” I think [Skinner] outdueled him in that sense…I think that goes with that experience.