Stuart Skinner steps up when needed most to help secure Oilers win

This has already been an extremely challenging season for the Oilers, with them yet again starting slowly and a fair few of the players not performing up to their usual standards. Throw in Connor McDavid's absence for at least two weeks due to an ankle injury, and there's plenty to cause angst for the fan base.

However, as per the saying that perception is reality, maybe things aren't quite that bad. Consider that the Oilers haven't started the 2024-25 campaign as poorly as last season, when they were a franchise worst 2-9-1 after 12 games.

Also, it appears that the short(ish)-term loss of McDavid has motivated his teammates to step up their game, as evidenced by two consecutive wins without him in the lineup. Chief among these is Leon Draisaitl, who has six points (three goals and three assists) combined in the two contests against the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames respectively.

That both wins have come on the road only makes it more impressive. As a result, the Oilers have improved to 6-5-1 on the season and are seventh in the Western Conference standings as of Monday morning.

The better version of Skinner shows up

Aside from Draisaitl there's plenty of credit to go around, but we'd like to focus in on one player. More specifically Stuart Skinner, who got the start in net against the Flames, at the Saddledome.

Renowned for his inconsistent play, Skinner has been off to a below-par start in 2024-25, resulting in a 2-4-1 record in his first seven appearances prior to Sunday night. There have been calls for Calvin Pickard to get more playing time between the pipes, with the backup going 3-1-0 in his four starts.

This is not a new scenario for Skinner, who had his struggles at times during last season's playoffs, which similarly led to some starts for Pickard. However, if there's one thing we know about the 2023 NHL All-Star, it's that he often steps up when the pressure is notched up to the max.

Coming off allowing six games in his previous start against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Skinner knew the pressure was on him to have a bounce-back game. And he did just that, as he backstopped the Oilers' to a 4-2 win versus their Alberta rivals.

Not perfect, but more than good enough

This is not to say that the Edmonton native had a flawless game, with him causing a few nervy moments during the contest. Ultimately though, he had his second-best game of the season to date.

When it was all said and done, Skinner saved 29 of the 31 shots he faced. He wasn't to blame for either of the goals he did allow, which included one coming on a power play for the Flames.

Postgame, it was no surprise that the 26-year-old preferred to focus on the team's collective effort. Speaking to the media, he said:

"It's kind of what we do now. When our backs are against the wall or whenever we face some sort of adversity, we just come out stronger, come out better. That's the kind of group that we've got in here. I think you've just got a crew here that just isn't willing to give up."

Along these lines, a late shot block by Adam Henrique summed up the hard work of the team, as Mattias Janmark clinched the win with the Oilers' fourth goal three seconds from the end. Skinner said:

"It's easy to let games like that slip, it's so easy in the NHL. You let off the gas pedal for two seconds and it's in the back of your net. I think this group, especially from where we came last year and obviously where we want to go the previous years, it's all experience to help you out, and I think it's definitely been very helpful for us in just the sense of being able to finish a game."

Focusing in on Skinner himself

Whether he wanted to or not though, Skinner was also asked to discuss his own individual performance on the night, which he did ... sort of. He said:

"It felt fantastic, especially being able to get the win. Obviously they put a ton of pressure on us at the end there. ... After the Columbus game I had a long time to wait, so it feels a little bit more like a win."

Of special note, the 2017 third round draft pick is now 4-0-0 when playing in Calgary, with a combined .959 save percentage and 1.50 Goals Against Average. Speaking about playing at the Saddledome, he said:

"It's fun. Playing in Calgary can be nice. I mean it's tough too because it is the Battle of Alberta, but I think for me it's so enjoyable. Growing up watching it, being part of it, even when you're just a kid. So it's pretty special being able to play in the Calgary barn and here them chant 'Stu'."

Skinner is an extremely talented goalie, of that there is no dispute - but he really does need to play more consistently to help the team. Oilers fans can only hope that his outing in Calgary is the beginning of stringing together a sequence of less erratic performances.

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