Skinner: From Anguish to Glory in the NHL, The Road to the Stanley Cup

Stuart Skinner: From Defeat to Rebirth in the Stanley Cup Final

Edmonton, Alberta – Stuart Skinner has traveled an emotionally intense path. After the Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers’ goaltender faced the anguish and pain of last season. Now, that experience has transformed him, preparing him for a possible victory in the current Stanley Cup.

“I feel completely different. I think everyone in our locker room feels different. Because we’ve already done it. We’ve already been through it. And to be honest, we’ve been through the worst-case scenario: losing Game 7.”
Stuart Skinner

Skinner, in his fifth season in the NHL, all with the Oilers, has lived the dream of a child who grew up supporting his hometown team. He remembers chanting for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, his favorite player, with whom he now shares a locker room. The defeat against the Panthers in the previous season was a hard blow, especially after coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the series. Losing Game 7 not only meant losing the Cup, but also the disappointment of an entire country that longed to see a Canadian team lift the trophy.

Initially, Skinner tried to “bury” the pain, but his wife, Chloe, helped him to “open the wound.” He shared his feelings with friends, colleagues, and coaches. He used journaling, a practice that has helped him maintain calm and mental presence since he was 18 years old. Weeks before the 2024-25 season, Skinner finally reviewed Game 7.

“I’m not sure why. Maybe for a little motivation. Maybe to get the emotions out,” Skinner said.

He observed the goals he conceded and reflected on the handshake line. Despite the sadness, he maintained his composure and congratulated the Panthers’ goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky, for his part, remembers Skinner’s gesture and his support.

Skinner has transformed adversity into personal growth.

“A life of difficulties, a life of moments of success. All the things you experience and think it’s the end of the world. You have to make a decision at that moment: get up or give up. I have always believed that if you never give up, you can achieve it. And I believe that for anyone.”
Stuart Skinner

Skinner’s playoff season has been a roller coaster. He was benched in the second round against the Vancouver Canucks after conceding four goals in the Game 3 loss. He regained the starting position and played a key role in the Game 6 and Game 7 victories. In the 2025 postseason, Skinner has proven his worth. After losing the first two games against the Los Angeles Kings, he returned to the starting role and has been the best goaltender of the playoffs.

His teammates highlight his mental fortitude. Oilers general manager Stan Bowman praises his ability to handle adversity. Oilers center Adam Henrique considers Skinner a great example of how to deal with pressure.

In Game 1 against the Panthers, Skinner remained calm even when Florida took the lead. He uses breathing exercises to control his heart rate and adrenaline. After the overtime victory, Skinner expressed his pride and emotion.

McDavid noticed that the final felt different this time, with less pressure and more normalcy. Skinner shares that feeling and has learned to manage the emotion, visualizing both victory and defeat. His goal is to be prepared for any scenario, having learned from all the playoff experiences, except one: winning the last game.