The Oilers have a commanding 3-1 series lead and will hope to advance to the Stanley Cup Final with a victory on Thursday in Game 5. Skinner has been outstanding in the third round of the playoffs, saving 86 of 88 shots (.977 SV%) in his last three games (3-0). The Oilers enter Thursday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a desperate Dallas Stars team.
Skinner was excellent in Game 3, stopping 33 of 34 shots in the Oilers' 6-1 win. Since taking over for Calvin Pickard in Round 2, Skinner has gone 4-2 with a 1.64 GAA, .936 SV% and three shutouts, including a 2.01 GAA and .930 SV% in this series.
Skinner continued his up-and-down playoffs in Game 2 as he picked up his third shutout in his previous four starts with a 25-save winning effort on Friday. The 26-year-old has struggled most nights despite being tied for the lead in playoff shutouts (3), with his .890 SV% and 2.90 GAA through seven appearances. He will look to take a 2-1 series lead as Edmonton hosts the Dallas Stars for a matinee on Sunday, who put five by him on 27 SOG in the series opener.
Despite a disappointing performance in Game 1, the Oilers will stick with Skinner between the pipes for Game 2 on Friday. After posting back-to-back shutouts to close out the second round, Skinner struggled in the opening game of round three, allowing five goals on 27 shots in the eventual 6-3 defeat. Skinner and the Oilers enter action on Friday at an even +100 on the money line.
Skinner stopped all 24 shots that he faced in the Oilers' shutout overtime win over the Golden Knights in Game 5. That is now back-to-back shutouts for Skinner, who owns a 1.28 GAA, .944 SV% and 2-1 record since returning to the Oilers' crease in Game 3 vs. Vegas. Against the Stars in the 2024 playoffs, Skinner was 4-2 with a 1.91 GAA and .922 SV%.
Skinner stopped all 24 shots that he faced in the Oilers' shutout overtime win over the Golden Knights in Game 5. That is now back-to-back shutouts for Skinner, who owns a 1.28 GAA, .944 SV% and 2-1 record since returning to the Oilers' crease in Game 3 vs. Vegas. Against the Stars in the 2024 playoffs, Skinner was 4-2 with a 1.91 GAA and .922 SV%.
Skinner stopped all 23 shots that he faced in the Oilers' shutout win over the Golden Knights in Game 4. It was by far his best performance of the postseason so far, and puts the Oilers one win away from the Western Conference Finals.
With Calvin Pickard remaining out due to an undisclosed injury, Stuart Skinner will start his second game in a row as Edmonton hosts Vegas on Monday for Game 4. Skinner allowed a late third-period goal (0.04 seconds) and struggled in Game 3 after allowing four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) in his first game since Game 2 of Edmonton's opening series. He will host the Golden Knights on Monday, who are looking to even the series at two before they head back to Vegas for Game 5 later in the week.
Skinner has not played since losing the first two games of Round 1 against the Los Angeles Kings when he allowed 11 goals on 58 combined shots (.810 SV%). The Oilers have won six straight since Calvin Pickard took over between the pipes, but they will revert to Skinner for Game 3 on Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 26-year-old Skinner appeared in 51 games during the regular season (26-18-4), posting a 2.81 GAA and .896 SV%. The Oilers enter Game 3 as -114 home favourites against a Golden Knights team desperate for a victory.
Hallander was a second-round pick, 54th overall, of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old spent the previous two seasons playing for Timra IK in the Swedish Hockey League, scoring a combined 89 points (40G / 49A) in 102 games.
Howe was Pittsburgh's 46th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward played 47 WHL games this season, split between the Regina Pats and Calgary Hitmen, scoring 46 points (18G / 28A).
Alexeyev exited Game 1 on Monday due to an upper-body injury after playing only 14:02 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old defenseman only played eight games this season, scoring zero points. He will be able to return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday.
Skinner had a forgetful performance in Game 1, allowing the game-deciding goal late in the third period, one of the six he allowed on 30 shots (.800 SV%) in the 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The 26-year-old Skinner will return to the crease for Game 2 on Wednesday. He saw limited action in the previous month, recovering from an injury, but played phenomenally in his final two regular season games (2-0-0), posting a 0.50 GAA, .972 SV%, and one shutout. The Oilers enter Game 2 as +112 road underdogs against the Kings.
Alexeyev exited Game 1 on Monday due to an upper-body injury after playing only 14:02 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old defenseman only played eight gams this season, scoring zero points. He could be ready to return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday.
Alexeyev exited Game 1 on Monday due to an upper-body injury after playing only 14:02 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old defenseman only played eight gams this season, scoring zero points. He is expected to be ready to return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday.
Skinner saw limited action in the previous month, recovering from an injury, but played two games in the final week and was outstanding (2-0-0), posting a 0.50 GAA, .972 SV%, and one shutout. He will be between the pipes for Game 1 on Monday against a Los Angeles Kings team he was excellent against in two contests this season (1-0-1), posting a 1.95 GAA and .932 SV%. The Oilers enter Game 1 as +114 road underdogs against the Kings.
The Penguins final game of the season is on Thursday against the Washington Capitals and unfortunately Hayes is not ready to draw into the lineup. The 32-year-old Hayes is averaging 12:03 time-on-ice and has 23 points (13G / 10A) in 64 games this season.
The Penguins final game of the season is on Thursday against the Washington Capitals and it's unclear if Hayes will be ready to draw into the lineup. The 32-year-old Hayes is averaging 12:03 time-on-ice and has 23 points (13G / 10A) in 64 games this season.
The Penguins final game of the season is on Thursday against the Washington Capitals and it's unclear if Hayes will be ready to draw into the lineup. The 32-year-old Hayes is averaging 12:03 time-on-ice and has 23 points (13G / 10A) in 64 games this season.
