Stuart Skinner has struggled over the past few games, and it didn’t get any better on Thursday.
The Oilers’ goaltender allowed three goals in the first period of Game 4 in the Stanley Cup Final, allowing the Panthers to take an early 3-0 lead. Edmonton entered the game already down 2-1 in the series and coming off a blowout loss where they allowed six Florida goals.
While Game 4 is not necessarily a must-win matchup, the Oilers would have to face the daunting task of coming back from a 3-1 lead with a loss on Thursday. Therefore, head coach Kris Knoblauch acted quickly in trying to change the momentum in Game 4.
Here’s what happened.
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Why the Oilers benched Stuart Skinner in Game 4 vs. Panthers
The Oilers benched Stuart Skinner after the goalie allowed three goals in the first period of Game 4 vs. the Panthers. Skinner faced 17 shots in the first 20 minutes, saving 14 but allowing three to get into the net.
Two of those goals were scored by Matthew Tkachuk, while Anton Lundell added the third for good measure.
MATTHEW TKACHUK OPENS THE SCORING IN GAME 4! 🙌 #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/eFsNymkCqO— NHL (@NHL) June 13, 2025
MATTHEW TKACHUK IS INEVITABLE! 😤 #StanleyCup
We’re already on hatty watch for him and it’s only the first period!
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/rqqDGqLDjr— NHL (@NHL) June 13, 2025
Anton Lundell gives the @FlaPanthers a three-goal lead after the first! 3️⃣ #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/VkRNOx8tSl— NHL (@NHL) June 13, 2025
This was on the heels of Games 2 and 3 in which Skinner allowed five goals each. While he faced over 40 shots in the Oilers’ 5-4 double-overtime loss in Game 2, Skinner allowed five goals on just 23 shots in Game 3 for a save percentage below 80 percent.
Skinner was replaced by Calvin Pickard, who is undefeated in six starts so far this postseason.
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‘Game 4 Skinner’ meme, explained
Entering Thursday’s Game 4, the Oilers stuck with Skinner in part due to his success in Game 4s. Skinner was 6-0 with a save percentage of 95.5 percent in Game 4s before Thursday night, which includes in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final when he allowed just one goal while facing elimination, as the Oilers beat the Panthers 8-1.
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