Stuart Skinner addresses Oilers fans with a much different tone after huge news at practice
Photo credit: Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers have lost Calvin Pickard to an injury, and will be turning back to their struggling starter Stuart Skinner for Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Pickard was absent from practice this morning after taking an earlier skate without the team. He's been deemed day-to-day with injury, causing Skinner to get in the net.
Stuart Skinner addresses Oilers fans before taking the net back in Game 3 vs Vegas
Speaking to the media today, Skinner himself confirmed that he will be tonight's starting goaltender, and addressed Oilers fans with a much different tone.
Not the situation that I want to be in, but I mean, that's playoffs. You need two goalies to go all the way. I'm excited to go back in the net, I've had some time to work on some things. Ready to go.
I've been getting a lot of work in with [Dustin Schwartz]. A lot of practice time, so I feel really good. It wasn't just a couple practices and you're back in there, so. I've had some time to feel really good about my game.
A guy can get sick at 1am and you're in there. There's definitely an art to being a goalie, to being a backup goalie. I think being able to always be ready always stay sharp, that's why practice time is so important.
- Stuart Skinner
I've been getting a lot of work in with [Dustin Schwartz]. A lot of practice time, so I feel really good. It wasn't just a couple practices and you're back in there, so. I've had some time to feel really good about my game.
A guy can get sick at 1am and you're in there. There's definitely an art to being a goalie, to being a backup goalie. I think being able to always be ready always stay sharp, that's why practice time is so important.
- Stuart Skinner
It's the first we've seen of Skinner since being pulled in Game 2, and he didn't look like his usual happy-go-lucky self.
He seemed a little more somber, focusing on practice and his game, and also mentioned a few times how long it's been that he's played. He even referenced himself as a backup goalie.
Skinner struggled massively in the first two games against LA after a very inconsistent season. The Oilers starter ranks at the bottom of all NHL playoff goalies with an average of .810 save percentage. He needs to be better, or the Oilers will have a hard time winning. Thankfully, he's had Vegas' number in his career.
The Oilers just need average goaltending for their elite roster to take over a game. If Skinner can do just that, he may be able to build himself back up as a goalie. Now is the time for Oil Country to rally around the tender, who really needs to hear it.
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