With Taylor Swift in house for Panthers-Oilers, Stuart Skinner can't 'Shake it off'
SUNRISE ― Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner was the subject of pregame mind games from Florida Panthers backup goalie Vitek Vanecek.
And it appears to have worked.
Just like he did before a Game 3 steamrolling by the Panthers, Vanecek lined up directly opposite Skinner before Game 4, looking him directly in the eyes.
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It occurred at a red line, in pregame warmups, and it was all a bit awkward and uncomfortable.
Vanecek is from the Czech Republic. Skinner is from Edmonton – ouch.
We don't know whether Vanecek delivered any intimidating messages in Czech.
Goaltenders have very specific routines. Just ask Florida star Sergei Bobrovsky.
Taylor Swift in attendance as Stuart Skinner yanked by Oilers
And it seemed pretty clear that Vanecek wanted to annoy Skinner by getting all up in his space.
"I've never seen that before," Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky said on TNT. "Trying to get in his head and they haven't even finished warmup."
It worked in Game 3, as Skinner was yanked after allowing five goals.
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In Game 4, Skinner was benched again after allowed three first-period goals.
It was 3-0 Panthers after Period 1.
The Panthers have "Big Game Bob" and the Oilers don't.
Florida Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky gives edge vs. Oilers
Pop superstar Taylor Swift was in the house and it was quite clear that despite that, Skinner was unable to "Shake it off."
Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift and Wayne Gretzky, from left, sit together during the second period as the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers play in Game Four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
Before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last year, then-backup goalie Anthony Stolarz pulled off the exact same shenanigans, lining up in Skinner's space.
It may have helped, as Florida won the game, and the Stanley Cup, of course.
In pregame of Game 4, Oilers backup goalie Calvin Pickard skated over to Skinner while he was being harassed by Vanecek. It appeared he may have been telling Skinner to pay Vanecek no mind.
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Didn't work.
By the time the second period had begun, Pickard had replaced Skinner.
Florida Panthers game score Stanley Cup Final: Darnell Nurse scores to put Edmonton down by one
Stanley Cup: Florida Panthers ignoring whining Edmonton Oilers before Game 4 | D'Angelo
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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Edmonton Oilers' goalie yanked after pregame mind games from Panthers goalie works
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