The Edmonton Oilers needed a large salvation in double overtime hours of game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup final and they never got it. Instead, Florida Panthers Brad Marchand scored the game winner on an escape on Oilers goalkeeper Stuart Skinner That should have been stopped.
Linking goalkeepers make this storage. Take the Save Philadelphia Flyers -target defender Bernie Parent made on Boston Bruins 50-Doelcorer Johnny Bucyk In the extension of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final of 1974. The flyers had not won a match at Boston Garden Ice in seven years and a goal in Boston would have sent the Bruins back to Philadelphia with a 2-0 series lead. Instead, the parent Bucyk stopped on an escape and minutes later Flyers captain Bobby Clarke scored the game winner and the flyers eventually won their first Stanley Cup championship.
Fast-forward to game 1 of the Stanley Cup final 1984, Where Grant Fuhr stood on his headMaking big saving after another to beat the New York Islanders with 1-0. Or consider Washington Capitals goalkeeper Broading Holtby’s Save in Game 2 For the attacker of Vegas Golden Knights Alex Tuch in the Stanley Cup final 2018. That Save at that time the series was fully in favor of Washington.
Key saves at crucial moments: that is what the oilers need in their two recent Stanley Cup -last performances, but unfortunately they didn’t get them. That is why I can no longer trust Skinner as a difference for the oilers for a third season in a row.
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Big goalkeepers do not grow on trees, and with the oilers this season right against the NHL salary limit, you can understand how difficult it can be for Oilers General Manager (GM) Stan Bowman to get a new keeper. However, I trust that he will find a way to get something done, similar to how he could surprise everyone by acting for Jake Walman during the NHL trading decoration of 2025. If it means that you will spend an important veteran with a high salary in a three -way agreement with two other teams, then that is the way it could be. I don’t think Hiring new goalkeeper coach Peter Aubry Will make a difference in the ability of Skinner to get big in the Stanley Cup final. You have it or you don’t. And I also don’t believe that if the Oilers would exchange Skinner, he would come back to chase them.
I think Skinner is a good, capable NHL target who needs a change of environment, similar to former Oilers -goalkeeper Devan Dubnyk. As much as Dubnyk was able to turn his career after he had been traded by the oilers, he was a solid NHL target who was never able to win a Stanley Cup. I see Skinner in the same way. An elite goal -defender is something that the oilers have not had since Dwayne Roloson De Vouw manned for from 2006 to 2009.
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I have a weakness for skinner, because I feel that he was pushing in the runway in Edmonton before he was ready. That falls on former GM Ken Holland, who in 2022 signed a great agent goalkeeper Jack Campbell for a huge contract, only to underline Campbell in a large way. If the unproven skinner did not play well when Campbell staggered in 2022-23, the oilers may not even have made the play-offs. However, Skinner has only been able to take the oilers so far, which is why it is time for a change in the goal.
As reliable as Calvin Pickard has been for the oilers, he may not be the answer they need. While it is, the oilers enter this season with both Skinner and Pickard; With an improved defense and a defensive head coach in Kris Knoblauch, the oilers should be in order in the regular season, but if I was a Bowman, I would like to close a deal between now and the NHL-Handeldeadline of 2026.
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I know that my opinion goes against many who have made some sensible arguments to be patient with Skinner. I love both Skinner and Pickard, I just wanted them to bring the oilers all the way to a Stanley Cup victory in 2024 and 2025. Unfortunately I no longer trust that they can help the oilers get there.
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