Too Little Too Late For Oilers Goalie Stuart Skinner Turning Around His Game, Says Reporter

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Liam McCormick
December 1, 2024 (11:45)

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Edmonton Oilers goaltender has begun to turn around his tough start to the year as of late, but it may be too little too late for him to make the Team Canada Roster.

Skinner's save percentage was dipping into Jack Campbell territory early this year, but he's begun to turn it around in his last few efforts and a brilliant game in Colorado - but it still won't be enough for Canada, according to a recent report from Mark Spector.

»It may be too late for Stuart Skinner, but in his final audition for Team Canada, he was brilliant. His spot on Canada's roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off may already have swirled down the drain
- Mark Spector

Despite taking his team to the Stanley Cup Final just last season, leaving Skinner off the Canada roster is inevitable at this point.

Skinner's inconsistency early this season has taken away his spot as the third goalie on Canada by most reports. Even now, his .887 save percentage is significantly below the current NHL average of .900.

However, Oilers fans are starting to see some positive signs in Skinner's play. Over his last four games he's seems to elevate his game once again.

Some have even noticed that Skinner is beginning to look a bit happier when speaking to the media. Earlier this year, he admitted he was struggling with confidence a bit, and it looked to take a toll on him.

If Skinner can just maintain an average save percentage most of the time, that will be good enough for the Oilers superstars to take over games and get the team wins.

Oilers fans have a right to be worried about the reliability of their goaltending because it's been such a weakness over the team's recent history.

That may have something to do with goalie coach Dustin Schwartz. Most goaltenders have seen their stats decline over their tenure in Edmonton, just like Skinner has so far in his young career, and many fans point to Schwartz as a potential reason why.

The main Team Canada goalies are expected to be Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill, then a possibility of Samuel Montembault, Logan Thompson, and Stuart Skinner. The Team Canada roster will be released this week.

Regardless, it's great to see Skinner on the uptick again after a significant time of struggle so far. He'll be okay that he doesn't make Team Canada, as long as the Oilers are back o track for the Cup Final again.