The Edmonton Oilers' heartbreaking Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, despite a furious third-period comeback, is a bitter pill to swallow. Now trailing 1-0 in the first-round playoff series, the Oilers must regroup quickly and elevate their performance to avoid falling into a dangerous 0-2 hole. Every player must raise their game, but the spotlight is shining brightest on the crease—and rightfully so.
Stuart Skinner allowed six goals on 30 shots in Game One, and while the Oilers' defensive breakdowns didn’t help, Skinner simply didn’t make the big saves when it mattered. The issue, however, runs deeper than one bad playoff game. Edmonton’s goaltending woes have been a recurring theme for over a decade. And through all the changes behind the bench, one figure has remained consistent—goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz, who has held the position since 2014.
Issues no matter who is in goal for the Oilers
From Ben Scrivens to Cam Talbot, Mikko Koskinen to Mike Smith, and now Jack Campbell to Skinner, the Oilers have cycled through netminders with limited success. While a few had brief playoff flashes, consistency has eluded all of them. Coaching matters, especially in high-pressure positions like goaltending. The lack of development and in-game adjustments seen from Skinner this season suggests the Oilers may need to reevaluate their approach.
At some point, the blame can’t always fall squarely on the goaltender. Yes, the goalie is the last line of defense, and yes, they’re expected to make the big saves when it matters most—but hockey is a team game, and development, preparation, and execution all start behind the scenes. It’s the goaltending coach’s responsibility to mentor, correct flaws, and ensure their players are mentally and physically ready for the grind of an 82-game season and the unforgiving nature of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In Edmonton’s case, Skinner’s regression this season has become difficult to ignore. While every young goalie faces ups and downs, the lack of in-season improvement and the repeated nature of some of his mistakes are alarming signs that something may not be working behind the scenes.
Oilers must consider the future of Dustin Schwartz
This isn’t a one-off issue, either—it’s part of a troubling trend. Over the past decade, the Oilers have seen a carousel of goaltenders come and go, with many showing promise before ultimately fading into inconsistency. Through all of that, one figure has remained unchanged: Dustin Schwartz. The fact that nearly every goaltender under his tenure has either plateaued or regressed should raise red flags.
Goaltending has consistently been the Achilles heel in Edmonton’s quest for a Stanley Cup, and if the organization is serious about winning now, it’s time to take a hard look at every aspect of that position—including coaching. Schwartz’s long-standing presence with minimal results begs the question: Is he truly elevating the talent he’s been given? Or is his continued role one of the reasons why the Oilers’ goaltending remains stuck in neutral?
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