Stuart Skinner returned to the net for the Edmonton Oilers for the first time since Game 2 of the First Round series against the Los Angeles Kings. However, his comeback was far from ideal, as the Oilers fell to the Vegas Golden Knights with just 0.4 seconds remaining—prompting a cold dose of reality from Skinner to Connor McDavid and the rest of the team.
The Oilers’ comeback streak—and NHL record—finally reached its end during Game 3 against the Golden Knights. They were really close to pulling off a seventh-straight come-from-behind win, but they eventually allowed the game-winning goal to Vegas with less than a second left in regulation.
It was a heartcrushing ending for Skinner, McDavid, and the Oilers who lost at Rogers Place for the first time since the start of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, and only the second loss at home since April 1st.
Ultimately, Kris Knoblauch’s decision to rest Calvin Pickard—who had started six straight games since relieving Skinner in Game 2 of the opening round and had taken some knocks in the last outing at T-Mobile Arena—raised eyebrows ahead of the matchup. In hindsight, the move proved costly, as a crucial mistake by Skinner in the final seconds sealed the Oilers’ fate and gave life to the Golden Knights.
Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers reactsduring a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in Game Two of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Following the 4-3 loss, Skinner made a bold admission, aimed at McDavid and the Oilers, about his performance in his first NHL game since April 23, when he posted a .821 save percentage. His numbers didn’t improve much against Vegas, finishing the night with a .833 mark.
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“That’s a goalie’s job, just to give your team a chance to win every night. I thought I did,” Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner stated postgame, per NHL.com. “Just a couple tough bounces here and there. We had a good bounce that kind of went off a skate and went in. Those types of things happen. I was happy that I was able to make a couple of big saves when we needed it, but I wasn’t able to finish it out.”
Head-scratching late-game decision
Though Skinner’s statement has truth to it, he did help out McDavid and company with some critical stops, his biggest mistake proved costly as the Golden Knights escaped with a miraculous victory to avoid falling in a 0-3 hole in the series.
With seconds remaining on the clock, Vegas’ Reilly Smith drove toward the net in a 1-on-3 situation. Two defenders dove to block a potential shot, but Smith cut to the outside instead. Skinner got out of position, leaving the crease wide open. As Smith centered the puck, Leon Draisaitl, in a desperate attempt to block the pass, accidentally deflected it into his own net with just 0.4 seconds left in regulation.
Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates with the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in Game One of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
It didn’t take long for fans to point fingers at Skinner, who once again found himself on the wrong side of a critical moment—fueling calls for Pickard to take over the crease for the rest of the playoff run. Pickard, still undefeated this postseason at 6-0, continues to build his case. Meanwhile, Skinner remains winless with an 0-3 record, just a year removed from backstopping the team to a Stanley Cup Final.
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Put the pressure on the Knights
While the Game 3 defeat at home is deflating for team’s morale, the Oilers are still sitting on the driver seat of this series, with a 2-1 lead. Prevailing in Game 4 is paramount for McDavid’s Edmonton, as they would take a commanding 3-1 lead, putting Vegas with its back against the wall as the series shifts to Sin City.
