Stuart Skinner, Oilers Goalie, Pulled in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final
In an unexpected turn of events, Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner was pulled from Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final after the first period. The change came after a flurry of three goals by the Florida Panthers, who took an early lead on the scoreboard. Calvin Pickard, the backup goalie, took his place at the start of the second period. Skinner had allowed three goals on 17 shots during the first period, including two power-play goals scored by Matthew Tkachuk. The situation puts the Panthers with a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Final series.This is the second consecutive time Skinner has been pulled from the game. In Game 3, where the Oilers lost 6-1, Skinner played 43:27 minutes and conceded five goals on 23 shots. Pickard entered that game and stopped seven of eight shots.
In general, in the Stanley Cup final, Skinner has allowed nine goals in the first period. Before game 4, his playoff record was 7-6, with a save percentage of .894 and a goals-against average of 2.84.The decision to pull Skinner in Game 4 was even more surprising due to his playoff history after Game 3 of a series. Skinner had a 6-0 record in Game 4 of a playoff series, with a 1.26 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage, including two shutouts. In Games 4-7 of a playoff series, Skinner had a 17-3 record with a .922 save percentage during his career. This trajectory led Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch to stick with Skinner after he was pulled in Game 3.I felt like I was going to play. I don’t see much reason to panic yet. We lost two in a row. I’m good in these situations. I know how to recover.
Stuart Skinner
It’s because of how well he’s played in the second half of a series. That goes for all the series this year and last year. Here’s a guy who will continue to improve as this series goes on. Hopefully we’ll have a few more games where he can stand out and play really well.
Kris Knoblauch
