Ex-Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner is struggling in the playoffs again
Stuart Skinner’s playoff struggles have followed him after being traded away from the Edmonton Oilers.
The Edmonton native has a history of struggling in the postseason, having lost the starting job for the Oilers in each of the last two seasons. It’s part of the reason why the Oilers traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this season, but a change of scenery has not helped Skinner exorcise his playoff demons.
He has started in each of the first three Pittsburgh playoff games against the Philadelphia Flyers this season and has lost each one. Now, Skinner is on the verge of being swept out of the playoffs in the first round.
“This is the group that can definitely come back from this deficit,” Skinner said when talking about being in a 3-0 hole. “I’ve personally done it [with the Oilers] to go to Game 7. It’s possible.
“Statistics are fun to look at, but it doesn’t always mean they are right.”
Ristolainen beats Skinner and the Flyers take the lead on goals just four minutes apart 😲
(via @NHLFlyers)pic.twitter.com/WraqQDihQY
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 23, 2026
In those three games, Skinner has allowed a total of nine goals against and has a dismal save percentage of just. 873 in that span. When it comes to expected goals-saved above average (xGSA), MoneyPuck has the ex-Oilers goalie ranked dead-last among playoff goalies at -2.8.
That all looks and sounds pretty ugly, and it’s got to feel a little bit familiar for Oilers fans, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Skinner actually put up a pretty decent Game 2, stopping 21 of the 23 shots he faced for a .913 save percentage, but the team in front of him offered zero goal support in a 3-0 loss.
Once again, consistency is the issue with Skinner.
Stuart Skinner makes a big stop on the breakaway to keep it a one goal game!
🎥: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/4ehppt6LYd
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) April 23, 2026
Not only is Skinner struggling between the pipes, but even when he shows up, the rest of the Pittsburgh roster leaves him out to dry. Again, that should be something that Edmonton fans can recognize when it comes to Skinner.
Meanwhile, the Oilers are in a lot better situation. They are tied 1-1 in their series against the Anaheim Ducks, and that’s despite goaltender Connor Ingram having a worse .855 save percentage through two playoff games. MoneyPuck is giving Ingram the edge with a -1.0 xGSA.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Penguins go back to Skinner in an elimination game on Saturday, or if backup Arturs Silovs comes on in relief.