Alberta’s Edmonton (AP) – Early in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, Stuart Skinner slid to his right to glove a shot by Carter Verhaeghe on a 2-on-1 that kept the Edmonton Oilers ahead. He made the similar move less than a minute into Game 5 to prevent Aaron Ekblad from scoring on yet anot
Edmonton, Alberta (AP) – Stuart Skinner dove to his right to stop Carter Verhaeghe’s shot on a 2-on-1 to preserve the Edmonton Oilers’ lead early in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. Less than a minute into Game 5, he made a similar play to deny Aaron Ekblad another extremely strong scoring opportunity.
“He´s definitely stepped up,” alternate captain Leon Draisaitl said. “I think he´s been playing great for us, and we expect it coming down the stretch here. He´s one of those guys, one of those goalies who steps up in big moments.”
Skinner is 10-0 this playoffs in Games 4-7 of a series. The only other goalies to win 10 or more times in those situations in a single postseason are Jordan Binnington in 2019, Corey Crawford in 2013 and Martin Brodeur in 2012, and his 1.50 goals-against average in Games 4-7 is fourth best in NHL history.
Skinner’s resurgence is just the latest example of the 25-year-old responding to adversity, including a turnover of his in Game 3 that contributed to a third consecutive loss. He is 9-5 with a 2.05 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage since returning to the net from being benched during the second round.
