There is nothing like NHL all-star weekend to show how the Edmonton Oilers’ top players are still their top players.
Even though Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl didn’t finish first and second overall in points last year, respectively, they are still the best players to represent the team in the NHL’s showcase event.
After having a 29-14-5 record with a.914 save percentage and a 2.75 goals-against average in his rookie NHL season, Stuart Skinner was voted to travel to Sunrise, Florida, for the previous year’s all-star festivities. This accomplishment made him a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Even though Skinner has a 23-9-1 record, which ties him for the third-most victories of any goalie in the league, a.910 save percentage, and a 2.44 goals-against average, he has not been invited to the all-star activities in Toronto this weekend.
Although there are goalies with better numbers who are more deserving than Skinner, none have been hotter than Skinner going into the break, given his flawless nine-for-nine record in games along with a 1.33 goals-against average and.953 save percentage that earned him a spot on the NHL’s monthly honor roll for January.
He has contributed more than any other player to the Oilers’ amazing 24-3 run, which has seen them go from pretenders to contenders. Despite the humiliation of losing their head coach early in the season, the team has climbed all the way from 30th place overall to third place in the Pacific Division.
