Stuart Skinner has tone-deaf response to his declining play and Oilers struggles
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
The Edmonton Oilers goaltending has been one of the hot-burning issues for the roster off to another slow start, and Skinner was confronted with some harsh realities today.
The Oilers have officially put Skinner on the clock this season, with insiders reporting that the team will acquire another goalie if he doesn't prove himself by the trade deadline. So far, there's too much doubt with Skinner for another postseason run.
Stuart Skinner responds to declining save percentage and Oilers struggles
Speaking with the media today, Skinner was confronted multiple times with his declining play and the Oilers' mediocre start.
As usual, Skinner said his focus isn't on his individual stats - he just wants to win games with Edmonton.
It's not about you, it's about the whole team. Whether you let in a bad goal or make a huge save, you're just trying to do your best to help the team get 2 points. Whether that's an 8-7 win, that's still a huge win being able to get 2 points. It just matters if you're able to make a save at the right time, and give the team a chance to win.
It's not about my save percentage, or how I'm doing. It's about my win column, the team's win column.
- Stuart Skinner
It's not about my save percentage, or how I'm doing. It's about my win column, the team's win column.
- Stuart Skinner
Frankly, this is an astounding answer for a goaltender in the 5th year of their NHL career. A goalie's success directly helps the team.
The focus can't just be on timely saves, and giving the team a chance to win an 8-7 game. That's not a winning formula in the playoffs when the margin for error is near zero. Skinner needs to make every save possible to keep the opposition at bay. That's literally the job of a goalie.
Giving up back-breaking early goals, like the first 2 against Colorado, seems to take the life out of the skaters. It's not an insurmountable deficit, but the team is tired of playing from behind far too often.
The save percentage is actually quite critical to success, despite what Skinner thinks. Oilers fans online reacted with disbelief over his comments.
Currently, Stuart Skinner sits with an .889 save percentage through the first 11 games. He'll have another chance to prove himself tonight against the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets.
But if these struggles from Skinner persist, the Oilers will finally be making a change in net this season.
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