Ex-Vancouver Canucks goalie Silovs getting shafted in return to NHL playoffs
He has a propensity for showing up in big game moments. But so far in the NHL playoffs, Arturs Silovs has done nothing but warm the bench.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are now down 3-0 in their series against the Philadelphia Flyers in a series that they were favoured in.
While their lack of offence has been a big part of the story, so has the goaltending of Stuart Skinner.
The ex-Oilers goalie has followed a similar script to his time in Edmonton during the 2026 NHL playoffs. He certainly has the ability to make big saves, but Skinner also lets in questionable goals at inopportune times.
That happened in Game 3, reminding Oilers fans of an all-too familiar story.
After the Flyers tied Game 3 early in the second period, defenceman Rasumus Ristolainen shot a puck right through Skinner to give Philadelphia their first lead of the game.
It was a long time coming but PLAYOFF RISTO HAS ARRIVED. #IgniteTheOrange pic.twitter.com/GE35LoDJM4
— x – Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 23, 2026
Skinner probably wanted that one back, and he likely felt the same about Philadelphia’s insurance marker in the third period. Defenceman Nick Seeler floated a puck from the point that found its way past Skinner, undeflected.
SEEL TEAM ASSEMBLE. #IgniteTheOrange pic.twitter.com/EEfe3WYshk
— x – Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 23, 2026
Despite some of Skinner’s big saves this postseason, he’s currently rated as the most permissive goaltender to play so far in these playoffs based on shot quality.
Skinner has been badly outduelled by Flyers’ netminder Dan Vladar. (MoneyPuck)
Skinner was also rated the worst goalie in the playoffs, based on goals saved above expected, before the Penguins played Game 3.
It makes you wonder, why hasn’t Pittsburgh given Silovs a shot?
The 25-year-old Latvian hasn’t appeared in the NHL playoffs, ironically, since losing Game 7 of Round Two to Skinner and the Oilers back in 2024. However, he performed admirably during that run, considering that he had nine games of NHL experience before being thrust into action due to injuries suffered by Canucks goalies Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith.
Silovs has proven in the past that he’s capable of showing up when the games matter most. That includes the 2023 World Hockey Championships, where he helped Latvia medal for the first time ever. He’s also the reigning Calder Cup MVP, after leading the Abbotsford Canucks to a championship.
While Skinner was better than Silovs down the stretch, the Latvian netminder did have a better save percentage on the season.
Although starting the playoffs with Skinner had logic, the fact that Silovs has done nothing but warm the bench while his team falls into a 3-0 hole is hard to comprehend.
“I would like to play more, for sure,” Silovs said earlier this month when asked if playing back-to-back games was helpful for him.
“I think when you play more, you get used to it and find a rhythm better.”
Don’t be surprised if he gets the Game 4 start for the Penguins, although at this point, it’s probably too little too late for Pittsburgh.