Stuart Skinner Stats And News | NHL.com
Skinner is having a great season two as the Oilers starter, but the early numbers don't tell the story. He's ranked 30th overall in with a .895 save percentage and a 2.85 Goals Against Average, and one shutout.
But as they arrived at Christmas break Skinner had a respectable 13 wins, and was holding a few clinics on a big man playing goal. Knoblauch says the coaching staff is happy with the goaltending from Skinner and Pickard. They had reason to be. The club was winning and playing through injuries.
The start of the season was busy for Stu because new defensemen had arrived. A few of his troubles with the overall averages and GAA can be identified in the positional play of the new group. The game flows a lot smoother with defensemen like Kulak, Emberson, Nurse, and Ekholm working to play an offensive style without hanging goaltenders out to dry.
Pickard has provided excellent relief and Skinner's December average was near the top of the NHL. I think Skinner is a great choice for Number One on Team Canada. Too bad they didn't make it.
Oilers have won 8 out of their last 9 as the Christmas break arrived, and now have second place in the Pacific Division, 5 points behind first place Vegas Golden Knights.
Second place Oilers return to play Saturday, Dec. 28, in L.A., when they can put points between them and third place Kings.
