Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner strives for consistency, stays off mental ‘roller coaster’ – Edmonton

As is the case with his team as a whole, some of Stuart Skinner’s statistics in the 2024-25 season are underwhelming. But the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender no. 1 says he’s making sure he stays cool as he works to offer more consistent play in the team’s net.

“I feel really good about my game,” the 26-year-old Edmonton native said after the Oilers practiced Tuesday. “Obviously there are some things I need to work on — and some things we need to work on as a team. … But I think overall I just have to keep going and focus on the process of getting better every day.”

Skinner was sensational at times in last season’s NHL playoffs, a postseason in which he helped the Oilers come just one win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup.

The Oilers prepare to host Utah HC at Rogers Place on Friday after an unusually long stretch of days between games. Skinner picked up the win in Edmonton’s last game: a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday, making 33 saves.

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But Skinner’s 3.23 goals-against average and .882 save percentage this season is down from last season’s 2.62 GAA and .905 save percentage and has generated some criticism from fans and hockey commentators. Over his 138-game career, the one-time NHL Rookie of the Year finalist has a 2.75 GAA and a .907 save percentage.

“It could all be your fault and the end of the world, or you’re the best goalkeeper in the whole world,” Skinner said when asked about concerns raised. “I think riding that roller coaster as a goalie can be a very dangerous thing.”

Skinner suggested that keeping things simple remains his goal as he works to improve as the season progresses.

“Consistency is a very difficult thing to achieve, especially in the NHL playing against all these incredible teams,” he said. “I think it comes from doing the same thing every day.

“It may sound boring, but especially for a goalkeeper, I like to be bored.”

Despite the Oilers’ relatively slow start to the regular season, a number of people who work in the hockey media world have said they believe Skinner is viewed as having a chance to earn a spot in Team Canada’s roster for February’s NHL 4 Nations Face-Off.

The event will at least temporarily replace the hockey league’s annual all-star game and provide a rare opportunity for some of the NHL’s best players to compete for their countries, as the league’s players did not participate in the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics.

“I haven’t thought too much about it,” Skinner said when asked about his name possibly being considered for the event. “(But) it would be such an incredible achievement to be able to play in the 4 Nations.

“I think it’s always something you want to play against the best in the world.”

–with files from Slav Kornik, Global News

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