Stuart Skinner: Why the Edmonton Oilers’ #1 Goalie Needs a S

Skinner’s Momentum Can’t Be Ignored

Stuart Skinner is on a roll. A few wins in a row; tight OT battles where he made the kind of saves that can change the course of a game. These aren’t just lucky breaks—they’re the signs of a goalie who’s starting to find his groove. Recently, when Skinner’s in the crease, he’s showing he can handle the pressure. That’s exactly why he needs a consistent run of starts. Rhythm matters for goalies, and right now, Skinner is hitting his stride.

Consistency Builds Confidence

Goalies need momentum, a routine, a stretch of games to really settle in. Skinner has shown he can rise to the occasion, but flipping him in and out risks breaking the flow. If Edmonton sees him as the #1 guy—and they should—he needs that steady chance to build confidence and keep the team in games night after night. Back-to-back nights, too. With 105 NHL wins, Skinner is continuing to prove he belongs; the Oilers need to let him ride the wave.

Prime Years, Prime Opportunity

At 27, Skinner is hitting the point in his career where goalies often start to peak. Give him regular starts now—a consistent run—and he can become the reliable backbone the Oilers have been chasing. Again, that might mean he needs to play on back-to-back nights. He’s already shown he can make the clutch saves in moments that matter—imagine what he can do if he’s given the consistent opportunity to stay sharp and in rhythm.

The Time to Trust Skinner Is Now

Switching goalies too often can shake confidence, slow development, and take momentum out of the team’s hands. Right now, Skinner is proving he can handle the job. Big OT wins! He’s making key saves, keeping games close, and giving the Oilers a real shot to win. If Edmonton is serious about having an established #1 goalie they can count on, the choice is simple (at this point in time): give Stuart Skinner the net, consistently, and let him do what he’s been showing he can do.

For now, as he strives to earn his 106th win, the key is to help him find his A-game … and then to discover a way to maintain that elite-level of play. That cannot happen when he is sitting on the bench after a big 2-1 road win in OT, for example.