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New York Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner's story of struggles and a chance at redemption
The Stanley Cup playoffs present opportunities for all participants. Some players turn into overnight sensations, while others become wildly unpopular with their fan base. Sometimes, both things happen in the same playoff run. Such is the case for Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers. So far in his young career, Skinner has seen the good and the bad of playing for his hometown team. Advertisement It's no easy task playing goalie for the Oilers. For decades, the iconic players have been centres (Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl), wingers (Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Esa Tikkanen, Ryan Smyth, Zach Hyman) or defencemen (Paul Coffey, Kevin Lowe, Chris Pronger, Evan Bouchard). Goalies? Grant Fuhr counts as an icon, and he was a local product who made good and played his way into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Fuhr had some difficulty early but settled in and backstopped the glory Oilers through the Stanley Cup runs of the 1980s. Fuhr may be the only individual on the planet who can completely relate to Skinner's spring. Skinner's opening playoff performances against the Los Angeles Kings back in April were so poor that he lost the starting job. He stopped just 46 of 58 shots (via Natural Stat Trick) in the first two games, and didn't see the net again until Game 3 of the series against the Vegas Golden Knights on May 10. Calvin Pickard's strong play after taking over gave the team new life, with Skinner relegated to the backup role. An injury to Pickard versus Vegas breathed new life into Skinner's playoff season, and the big man is running with the opportunity. Players often get too much credit or blame for events that occur during the postseason. It can turn a fan base against a player, and in rare cases, management has used a single player as a scapegoat. An extreme example is the 2013 buyout of centre Mikhail Grabovski by the Toronto Maple Leafs after a devastating loss to the Boston Bruins in a pivotal Game 7. There is no such worry with regard to Skinner and the Oilers. His teammates, specifically McDavid and Draisaitl in public statements, have been vocal in their support of Skinner through the difficult moments of this spring's playoffs. Advertisement In fact, there are the makings of a redemption story in the Skinner experience this spring. His performance against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night is another chapter in what is a building story. Using five-on-five save percentage, here's a look at Skinner's playoff run for each of the three series he's played in so far in 2025: All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat Trick Skinner's progression is clear, and since regaining the net in the Vegas series, the young goaltender looks in complete control. Calm feet, confidence and a team playing well in front of him have settled nerves and allowed Skinner to shine. His performance in Game 4 of the Dallas series on Tuesday night is a perfect example of Skinner's maturation. While there was endless activity around his net, the Stars were unable to sustain the fury of the opening period (16 shots in the first, nine in the second and four in the third period). Skinner held his ground, stopped all of the high-danger chances, and gave up just one goal, which was scored on the power play. Skinner has stopped 86 of the last 88 shots sent his way by Dallas in the Western Conference final. After the trials of one year ago, this year's postseason had an even rockier start. However, three shutouts recently (two against Vegas and one versus the Stars) have allowed for a change in the script for Skinner and Oilers fans. Emily Kaplan of ESPN talked to Skinner right after the game on May 23, and conducted a brilliant interview. Skinner's answers reflected the maturity fans are seeing from the goaltender and players across the roster after last season's disappointment in Game 7 of the Final against the Florida Panthers. In answer to Kaplan's question about who has helped the most in his game day mindset, Skinner shared, 'It truly does take a community, it takes a city, it takes a lot of people to help you persevere and go through challenges. Mainly your teammates. The way the guys play in front of me, day in and day out, no matter what situation we're in, that's all it is. I'm giving all the credit to the boys in there.' Advertisement It's easy to forget Skinner was an unproven goaltender when he stepped into the breach in the fall of 2022. In the last three seasons, he has started 48, 57 and 50 regular-season games, respectively. His $2.6 million cap hit (with one year to go before his next contract) means Skinner is an extreme value deal. That he plays one of the foundation positions (starting goalie is one of 12 such roles on the team) only adds to his value. What's the next step for Skinner? It's the same goal for every member of the Oilers organization. Winning the Stanley Cup. At the rate things are going, Skinner may cement his role as the goaltender of record for the 2020s in Edmonton. The NHL in this era does not produce dynasties, but for a franchise that has been searching for Stanley since 1990, winning this spring would be something close to nirvana. Skinner started this playoff spring poorly, but all is forgotten now. Forty-one long years after a homegrown goalie (Fuhr) led the team to its first Stanley Cup victory, another homegrown goalie is one win closer to doing the same.
New York Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
LeBrun: Nobody demands perfection from Stuart Skinner — but this is the version the Oilers need
EDMONTON — The harsh view of Stuart Skinner is that he's like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get. Brilliance on some nights, not so much on others. The more positive view is that there's also a chance you're seeing the most confident version of the Edmonton Oilers netminder, timed up perfectly with the most crucial time of the year. Advertisement The Oilers are two wins away from a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final, courtesy of Skinner's outstanding performance in their Game 3 victory over Dallas on Sunday afternoon, and perhaps the last question mark about this seasoned playoff roster is being answered. Perhaps. Just not 100 percent for sure. Because if there's one comment that gets reiterated the most when I talk to people with other NHL teams about the Oilers surging in this playoff run, it's whether they can get the better version of Skinner just long enough to pull this whole thing off. 'I get why they think that,' Martin Brodeur, the NHL's all-time winningest netminder, told The Athletic via text message Sunday when asked about Skinner's doubters. 'But in wins, he's been great. It's a grind for goalies in the playoffs. The reset really helped him out. Finally found his groove now. It's amazing how people are critical of goalies in conference finals. It's quite an achievement to get there; only four guys still standing after all.' Another Hockey Hall of Fame goalie, five-time Stanley Cup champion, Grant Fuhr, said via text: 'I do think he has steadied things down. It looks a lot like last year, where he had some tough games but was very resilient and bounced back.' It reminds me a bit of Darcy Kuemper with the 2022 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. No one was expecting him to be the single biggest reason that the Avs reached the promised land; he just needed to be steady enough not to drop a grenade on their journey. On Sunday afternoon at Rogers Place, the Oilers got more than what they normally need from Skinner. He stole some big moments in the middle of the game, when the Oilers were being outplayed by the Stars. He was named the game's first star for his 33-save effort. He was spectacular by any measure in his team's 6-1 win. Advertisement 'I thought we were fortunate to be up after 40 (minutes), but I thought Stu did a great job,' said Oilers superstar captain Connor McDavid. 'We played really solid in front of him in Game 2 and not so solid tonight. He gave us a chance to get our legs into it. And gave us a chance to win.' That included a 21-shot barrage in the second period by the Stars, who could only beat him once. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Stars had a 16-4 scoring-chance advantage in the middle period. 'They brought a ton of speed, they got a lot of O-zone time, had some good chances,' Skinner said. 'At that point, we're just trying to keep things at zero, keep things at bay. We knew that was going to happen. They were down 2-0 at that point and we knew they were going to come out hard and give everything that they had. They definitely did that. They were definitely the better team in the second period.' The body language in the last two games has said it all. Skinner is feeling it. A shutout in Game 2, a big-time performance in Game 3. Can he keep it rolling? 'I wish I felt it all the time,' Skinner said of being in that zone right now. 'That's just something that comes with it. For myself, coming out of last game, too, I felt really good. I'm just trying to do my best to keep that going.' Just over a month ago, he lost the net after being pumped for 11 goals in the opening two games of the first-round series against the Kings. An injury to Calvin Pickard re-opened the door for Skinner on May 10. He hasn't looked back. 'Having (to sit) on the bench for a while seems to be a pretty good remedy for lots of players,' an NHL goalie coach said via text message Sunday. 'I also believe that a goalie in today's game, especially, is largely a function of his team, and (the Oilers) must be playing a very solid defensive game.' Advertisement I asked Skinner on Sunday if that time on the bench, while agonizing, allowed him to reset and come back with some confidence. 'I felt confident before, but yeah, that's the life of an NHL goaltender,' he said. 'Picks was fantastic coming in, obviously. It gave me a chance to work on some things. Clear the head a little bit. But yeah, I've been confident the whole time, even when I came back — first game we lost and I let in four (goals). I let in five against Dallas (in Game 1). It hasn't all been perfect.'' No one's asking for perfection. Just a steady presence back there. One thing that's apparent from being around the Oilers the last few years is how much his teammates cheer for this guy. 'Everybody has times where you feel good about your job and times when you don't, and it just amplifies when it's the goalie because he's the last line of defense,' Oilers winger Zach Hyman said. 'For him to be able to battle back the way he has is just really impressive. I think a lot of people were counting him out. He came in again and has been phenomenal and he's a big reason we're up 2-1.' Skinner is probably the most polarizing player for the Oilers' fan base. Large sections of fans wanted a goalie upgrade before the March 7 trade deadline. Oilers general manager Stan Bowman never really tried. He believed his goaltending was good enough. But there also was the question of where exactly this goalie upgrade might come from. Name a top-10 goalie in the NHL who was available. Was John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks going to be an upgrade? He was willing to come to Edmonton, but the Oilers' front office didn't see a guaranteed upgrade there. So they stuck with Skinner and Pickard, both of whom have won big games in these playoffs. And the one thing the Oilers know is that Skinner has the ability to bounce back from shaky performances. Advertisement 'Last year, I was impressed that when he did have a bad game, how well he responded right away,' Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Sunday when asked what he's learned from Skinner since he got here last season. 'That's not easy for any player, especially the goalie. And a goalie in his hometown in this market, I think he's done a really good job. … 'Just impressed (how) he manages the expectations, playing in front of a good team. Yeah, when we do need him, he comes through,' Knoblauch said. 'And tonight, there was a lot of work for him. He was busy.' A year ago, Skinner outplayed Jake Oettinger in the Western Conference final. Three games into this series, the same trend is developing, although Oettinger can quickly change that script Tuesday night in Game 4. 'Listen, we wouldn't be sitting here in the conference finals without Jake Oettinger and how he's played,' Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said when asked about his goalie's performance. 'Tonight was one of those games where they were opportunistic and once they got the lead, we're pushing to get back in and there's grade-As going the other way. One thing I know about Jake Oettinger, for me, he's one of the best response goalies in the league. I know he's not going to drag around tonight's game.'' I suspect DeBoer is right about that. The Stars' goalie will bounce back. But if Skinner stays dialed in, will it matter? Have the Oilers really put all the pieces together? 'Yes,' said a rival Western Conference team executive via text message Sunday. 'I think they win it all. They will be more prepared for Florida this time.' Whoa, there's still lots of hockey left in this Western Conference final. But that gives you an idea of the impression the Oilers are making right now. (Photo of Stuart Skinner: Codie McLachlan / Getty Images)
Edmonton Journal
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
MATHESON: Factors to ponder in Western Conference final
Article content 'It's going to be a good one (matchup). It'll come down to who makes the save at the right time,' said Oiler Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr. DEFENCE VS. STARS' TOP LINE Which Oilers defence pair goes against the early Conn Smthye favourite Mikko Rantanen and fellow Finns Roope Hintz and Mikael Granlund? The left-side Darnell Nurse is the most physical of the Oiler blueliners, so you likely need him against the 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-winger Rantanen. But do Oilers keep his current partner, the game but smaller Troy Stecher, with Nurse? Or do they shake things up and move Brett Kulak, who is averaging eight more minutes a game this playoff run than last, off his current partnership with Evan Bouchard? The Oilers like their three pairs, with puck-movers Jake Walman and John Klingberg, as the third tag-team. Shifting Stecher for, say, the bigger Kulak might be a plan, but then it screws up something that worked against a big Vegas forward group.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grant Fuhr shows support for Edmonton Oilers with a special playoff Pepsi
It's back to the future but off the ice as former Edmonton Oilers dynasty years goaltender Grant Fuhr backs the team's playoff run with a new drink promotion. 'Getting there is a hard step, but getting back there is a harder step,' said Fuhr. 'You realize the grind that goes into it, you realize the sacrifice that goes into it. And once you get there and get that taste, you want to get back there because you want to win it.' A five-time Stanley Cup winner with the Edmonton Oilers and Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender, Fuhr is once again throwing his name behind the team. He partnered with Pepsi to introduce a special Oilers-themed drink for the playoffs that's only available in the city. 'Everybody loves the orange. The Oilers roll in the playoffs in orange. So, Pepsi is going orange,' he said. Fans can find out where to get the drink on Pepsi Canada's Instagram page. The product partnership is reminiscent of 1989 when Fuhr previously linked up with the brand. But the Oilers will be hoping it also brings back the wins of Fuhr's era. 'I think they've got enough horses,' Fuhr said, adding 'obviously they have the two best players in the game. That doesn't hurt.' The Pepsi partnership adds some extra excitement for fans, but Fuhr said he's always thrilled to watch the team, even as a retired player. 'I still love the playoffs. I still love watching the Oilers. The fact the Oilers and (Los Angeles) Kings are going to battle again means that I may get to sneak into a couple of games,' he said. Living in California with his own broadcasting duties during last year's playoff run, Fuhr had to watch the team from afar, saying the team played 'extremely well.' With the team set to start the playoffs against L.A., Fuhr said it's likely to be a tough matchup, which the Oilers of old always preferred. 'You don't mind a tough start.' 'It puts you in the right mind frame right out of the gate. You don't want an easy series where you just fly through it, you'd rather have that hard grinding series right out of the gate. I mean, we were pretty fortunate. We usually got Calgary in either the first or second round. So it was a hard, grinding series,' said Fuhr. Fuhr said last year's gut-wrenching Game 7 loss could be an important motivator for the team in this year's run, like it was for him after being swept by the Islanders in 1983, when New York claimed their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup victory. 'I think now that they've got a taste of what the finals are like, and how hard it is to get there, they're going to be better off for it this year. They realize the grind that it is. They realize what it takes. And I know for us, in 1983 we got run over by the Islanders, but we got a taste of what the finals were like, and it's a driving factor,' he said. zdelaney@ Meaningless game still matters as Edmonton Oilers rest up for playoffs 'A tie that just brings us all together': There may be no other team in Canada that means as much to its city as the Edmonton Oilers Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
