As we approach the end of the NHL regular season, it's time to take a closer look at the performance of Stuart Skinner, the goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers. Skinner has been a pleasant surprise for the Oilers this season, showcasing his skills and proving himself to be a valuable asset for the team.
At the start of the season, Skinner was expected to play a major role for the Oilers. However, he has stepped up when needed and has been a key player in several games. He has played in 24 games so far this season, recording a 13-9-1 record, a .891 save percentage, and a 2.91 goals-against average. Just like the rest of the team he had a rough start to the season but appears to be heating up.
Skinner's performance will need to stay at this newfound high level as there will be no help from Jack Campbell. Skinner has taken back over the starting role and has played well lately. He has shown great composure and confidence in the net, making key saves in clutch situations to help secure wins for the team.
One area where Skinner could improve is in his consistency. While he has had some outstanding performances, he has also had some games where he has allowed more goals than he would have liked. However, this is not uncommon for younger goaltenders, and with more games played this season, Skinner should be able to improve in this area.
Overall, I would give Stuart Skinner a B- for his performance so far this season. He has exceeded expectations and has proven himself to be a reliable goaltender for the Oilers. However, there is still room for improvement and he will need to continue to work on his consistency and improve his overall game.
Looking ahead, Skinner will likely continue to play a key role for the Oilers as they push towards the playoffs. If he can continue to play at the level he has been playing at, he could potentially be a game-changer for the team and help them make a deep playoff run. A big issue for the Oilers is that he can't go into the playoffs tired, so hopefully they can find him some help.