Oilers Coach Sends Clear Message on Stuart Skinner After Game 2 Loss
Oilers Coach Sends Clear Message on Stuart Skinner After Game 2 Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final was an 88-minute marathon for the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers ending in a 5-4 double-overtime win for the latter.
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After winning Game 1 in overtime themselves, the Oilers were physically dominated by Florida and couldn't take advantage of their power-play edge or the 46 shots they attempted compared to the Panthers' 42.
For Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, Game 2 marked his first loss in six games as he had not lost a start since May 21 in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
Skinner faced 42 shots over four and a half periods of hockey, including a chaotic five-goal first period and a breakaway-fueled finish that ended with Brad Marchand's second goal-sealing Florida win.
The Panthers tied the series 1–1 with the victory, but Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch didn't place blame on his goalie.
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"Stu had a tremendous game, especially in the first period, which was very open," Knoblauch said. "There were some challenging moments like breakaways and deflections, but overall, his performance has been phenomenal since the Vegas series.
"We need him to continue playing at this level to have a chance to win."
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) makes a glove save against the St. Louis Blues during overtime at Enterprise Center. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Skinner was also involved in a first-period collision with Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who crashed into his right leg during net-front contact.
Despite the scare, Skinner stayed in the game and played through both overtimes.
"Stu's game has been really good, and we'll need him to continue to do that for us to have an opportunity to win," Knoblauch said.
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Game 3 between the Oilers and Panthers is set for puck-drop at Amerant Bank Arena on Monday at 8 p.m. EST.
Related: Wayne Gretzky Predicts Winner of Stanley Cup Final Without Hesitation
Related: Oilers' Corey Perry Sends 'Tough' Message After 2OT Loss to Panthers
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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