Stuart Skinner finds his groove as Oilers close in on Stanley Cup Final
Skinner’s bounce-back form powers Edmonton within reach of another Stanley Cup appearance.
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| Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers makes a save against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game Three in the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 25, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images |
By Adila Ghina and Randy Ahmad
A month ago, Stuart Skinner’s future as the Edmonton Oilers’ No. 1 goaltender looked uncertain. After surrendering 11 goals across two games in the opening round of the NHL playoffs, Skinner was benched. Fast-forward to late May, and he’s become the steadying force behind the Oilers’ surge to within two wins of the Stanley Cup Final. The Stuart Skinner playoff performance has evolved into one of the defining narratives of Edmonton’s postseason run.
In Sunday’s Game 3, Skinner was nothing short of spectacular. His 33 saves anchored a dominant 6-1 victory over the Dallas Stars, putting Edmonton ahead 2-1 in the Western Conference Final. For the first time in this series, the Oilers imposed their will, and Skinner played a central role. He was the game’s first star and arguably the difference-maker during the game’s most intense stretches, particularly during a second-period onslaught from the Stars.
A crucial turning point
Skinner’s standout effort comes after a difficult start to the postseason. Following his early struggles, Calvin Pickard took over netminding duties. But when Pickard went down with an injury on May 10, Skinner seized his second chance—and hasn’t looked back. Since returning, he’s posted a shutout in Game 2 and delivered a commanding performance in Game 3, putting the Oilers in control of the series.
His resilience has not gone unnoticed by hockey legends. “In wins, he’s been great,” said Martin Brodeur, the NHL’s all-time winningest goalie, via text to The Athletic. “It’s a grind for goalies in the playoffs. The reset really helped him out.”
Grant Fuhr, a five-time Stanley Cup champion and Hockey Hall of Famer, echoed that sentiment: “He’s steadied things down. It looks a lot like last year—tough games, but he’s resilient and bounces back.”
A season-defining performance
At Rogers Place on Sunday afternoon, Skinner stood tall while the Oilers weathered a storm in the middle frame. The Stars peppered him with 21 shots in the second period alone, generating a 16-5 scoring chance advantage at even strength. Yet they managed only one goal.
“He gave us a chance to get our legs into it,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “We weren’t great in front of him early on, but Stu held it down. He gave us a chance to win.”
Skinner himself remained humble. “They brought a ton of speed, they got a lot of O-zone time, had some good chances,” he said postgame. “We were just trying to keep things at bay. We knew they were going to come out hard. They definitely did that.”
The victory was as much about mental fortitude as athleticism. The Stuart Skinner playoff performance now mirrors the composure seen in goaltenders like Darcy Kuemper, who backstopped the Colorado Avalanche to a Cup in 2022 by being steady—if not spectacular.
Confidence and consistency
Skinner’s confidence appears to be peaking at the perfect time. “I wish I felt it all the time,” he admitted. “Coming out of the last game, I felt really good. I’m just trying to keep that going.”
That mindset reflects what NHL goaltending coaches often emphasize: mental reset. An NHL goalie coach texted The Athletic on Sunday: “Having to sit on the bench for a while seems to be a good remedy. And the Oilers are clearly playing a very solid defensive game.”
Head coach Kris Knoblauch believes Skinner’s mental toughness is among his biggest strengths. “When he did have a bad game, he responded right away,” Knoblauch said. “That’s not easy, especially in this market. He manages the expectations well. When we need him, he comes through.”
The loyalty factor
Inside the Oilers’ locker room, Skinner’s teammates are fully behind him. Forward Zach Hyman emphasized how much support Skinner has from the bench. “It amplifies when it’s the goalie because he’s the last line of defense. For him to battle back is impressive. People counted him out, and now he’s been phenomenal.”
That wasn’t always the consensus among the fan base. Before the March trade deadline, many Oilers fans called for an upgrade in goal. General manager Stan Bowman held firm, resisting external pressure and placing faith in Skinner and Pickard. Despite rumors around Anaheim’s John Gibson, the front office never pursued him aggressively.
Now, Bowman’s decision looks prescient. Both Skinner and Pickard have delivered key playoff wins. And Skinner, in particular, has quelled doubts about his ability to handle pressure.
The Oettinger comparison
Skinner’s rise is particularly notable because of the goaltending matchup. Last year, he outdueled Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger in the Western Conference Final. Through three games this year, that pattern is reemerging. But Dallas head coach Pete DeBoer has faith in Oettinger bouncing back in Game 4.
“One thing I know about Jake is he’s one of the best response goalies in the league,” DeBoer said. “I know he’s not going to drag around tonight’s game.”
That belief might be well-placed—but the Stuart Skinner playoff performance has tipped the scales so far in Edmonton’s favor. The Oilers, perhaps for the first time since the Connor McDavid era began, appear to have all the puzzle pieces aligned.
Cup-ready?
A rival Western Conference executive texted after Game 3, “I think they win it all. They’ll be more prepared for Florida this time.”
That comment reflects the rising perception that the Oilers are peaking at the right time—and Skinner is playing the best hockey of his young career. If he continues to deliver under pressure, the team’s chances of lifting the Stanley Cup are not only realistic—they’re increasingly probable.
The Oilers still need two more wins to advance, and then four more in the Final. But the mood in the locker room is confident. The chemistry is clear. And in Skinner, they might finally have the reliable last line of defense required to win it all.
For Edmonton fans, it’s no longer about wondering which version of Skinner will show up. Right now, the Oilers have the one they need.
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