(Edmonton) Despite poor numbers since the start of the series, goaltender Stuart Skinner retains the confidence of the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.
Skinner allowed three goals on the first seven shots he faced in Game 2, which the Oilers lost to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.
The Oilers came from behind before losing 5-4 in overtime on a breakaway goal from Anze Kopitar
The Western Conference first-round series is tied 1-1, but Skinner has a poor save percentage of .857 after the first two games.
Skinner’s play during these first two games is reminiscent of the difficulties encountered by the Alberta team’s goaltenders a year ago.
During the 2023 playoffs, Skinner was pulled from a game four times in 12 starts as then-coach Jay Woodcroft showed he would not be patient with his team’s rough starts to games. goalie.
Kris Knoblauch, who took over behind the Oilers bench in November, showed more patience. When asked if he thought about pulling Skinner after the Kings’ third goal Wednesday, his answer was a resounding “no.”
Then he gave Skinner his vote of confidence ahead of Game 3 of the series.
“I saw him take charge, take responsibility, and then come out really strong and play great,” Knoblauch said. “I have no doubt that he can do the same. »
Behind Skinner is Calvin Pickard, who has posted a .909 save percentage and 2.45 goals-against average in 23 starts this season. But playing a goaltender who started the season in the American Hockey League would be a bold move in the playoffs.
Throughout his short NHL career, the Oilers goaltender, who hails from Edmonton, has been philosophical about his game and has often said that “numbers lie.”
But in the playoffs, numbers absolutely matter.
In 2023, Skinner took much of the blame for the Oilers’ second-round elimination against the Vegas Golden Knights. He posted a save percentage of .883 over these two rounds.
The 2024 playoffs haven’t been any better so far. The Kings scored some bizarre goals in the third period of the opening game, aided by defenders breaking sticks and multiple deflections on skates. However, it wasn’t enough to threaten an Oilers team that was cruising to an easy 7-4 victory.
But in Wednesday’s 5-4 loss, Skinner made just 21 saves on 26 shots. Kopitar placed the winning shot over his shoulder.
PHOTO PERRY NELSON, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Anze Kopitar (11) and Stuart Skinner (74)
“I didn’t do much,” Skinner said after the loss. “I don’t think I played a big role in the game tonight, and that’s okay. I will improve and move forward. »
“They’re lucky at the moment, but we’ve had our share of luck too. That’s how hockey works sometimes. But luck was not on my side tonight.”
There were some extenuating circumstances. The winning goal was scored on a breakaway. On the second goal of the game, Adrian Kempe knocked the puck out of the air on his way to the net. The third goal, a breakaway by Drew Doughty, came after the Kings defenseman lost control of the puck, which slipped between Skinner’s legs. The Kings’ fourth goal was scored with a veiled shot.
The first goal of the match, also scored by Kempe, was one Skinner would have liked to see again.
“He made a good shot, but I think I can make this save,” he described.
“The second goal was scored after a strange bounce off two players. On the third, Doughty mismanaged the breakaway while trying to use his backhand and I could have made a better read. On the fourth, I didn’t see it at all. [Quinton] Byfield made a good screen. The fifth was a strange deflection that landed on the stick blade of Kopitar, who shot well. This is a good opportunity to learn and progress. »