Stuart Skinner was one of the three least impressive Edmonton Oilers players during their 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.
The Edmonton Oilers suffered a frustrating 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, a game in which their defensive play and special teams faltered. While there were a number of contributors to the team’s disappointing performance, one player whose performance stood out — and not in a good way — was Stuart Skinner, the Oilers’ starting goaltender. In a contest where timely saves were needed to keep the Oilers in the game, Skinner struggled to make the necessary stops when his team needed him most. Along with a few other key individuals, Skinner’s performance was a key factor in the Oilers’ defeat.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Skinner’s performance during this loss and break down the reasons why he was one of the three least impressive Oilers players in this game. Additionally, we’ll examine the impact of his play on the team, how the Oilers can rebound from this setback, and where Skinner and the team go from here.
The Oilers’ Struggles Against Washington
In the lead-up to this game, the Oilers were hoping to bounce back after a series of mixed results. Despite possessing one of the most potent offenses in the league, Edmonton’s struggles on the defensive side of the puck and in net have been a recurring theme throughout the season. The Capitals, led by Alex Ovechkin and an experienced roster, have proven to be a well-balanced team that can create offense and play responsible defense. The Oilers entered this matchup knowing they would need to be sharp at both ends of the ice to come away with the win.
Unfortunately, this did not come to fruition.
After a promising opening period, in which the Oilers managed to control much of the play, things started to fall apart in the second and third periods. A combination of defensive breakdowns, missed opportunities on special teams, and poor goaltending led to Edmonton’s demise. While the team had its share of individual struggles, Skinner’s performance was notably below the standard that the Oilers need from their starting goalie to stay competitive in tight games.
Stuart Skinner’s Inconsistent Performance
The primary issue for Skinner in this game was his inconsistency. The Oilers have relied on him to step up in moments where they’ve needed him most. Unfortunately, Skinner was unable to deliver the timely saves that would have kept Edmonton in the game. Let’s break down some key moments from the game that showed just how far Skinner’s performance fell short.
1. First Goal Against: Lack of Control on a Routine Shot
The first goal of the game came from Tom Wilson, who scored early in the second period on a fairly routine shot from the high slot. Wilson received the puck at the top of the circle after a quick pass from his teammate T.J. Oshie. While the shot was accurate, it wasn’t one that should have beaten Skinner.
Skinner appeared to be out of position when Wilson fired the puck on net, and he failed to make a clean save. Instead of catching the puck or deflecting it into the corner, Skinner allowed a rebound that bounced directly into the slot, where Nicklas Backstrom was waiting for the follow-up. Backstrom was able to capitalize on the loose puck, scoring off the rebound to put Washington up 1-0.
This sequence was troubling because it demonstrated a lack of puck control and awareness on Skinner’s part. While some may argue that he wasn’t fully screened on the play, he should have been able to read the situation and make a cleaner save. Rebounds in dangerous areas are a goalie’s responsibility, and allowing a second chance off a soft save set the tone for the rest of the game. The Oilers have struggled with consistency in net, and this moment highlighted just how costly those lapses in concentration can be.
2. The Capitals’ Power-Play Goal: Misreading the Shot from Ovechkin
The next key moment came midway through the third period, when the Capitals’ power play struck. Alex Ovechkin fired a slapshot from his usual spot on the left circle, an area where he’s one of the most dangerous players in the league. However, Skinner, who has been decent on power-play shots throughout the season, failed to react to Ovechkin’s shot quickly enough.
As the puck left Ovechkin’s stick, Skinner was slightly off-center, and the shot appeared to fool him. Rather than tracking the puck all the way into his glove, Skinner misjudged the trajectory, allowing Ovechkin’s booming slapshot to beat him cleanly on the glove side. This goal, which gave Washington a 3-1 lead, was a tough one for the Oilers to swallow. It’s not that Ovechkin’s shot wasn’t powerful, but it was certainly one that Skinner could have saved if he had been in better position and reacted more quickly.
What made this goal even more concerning was the timing. The Oilers were already down 2-1, and they were fighting to stay in the game. A timely save on a shot like Ovechkin’s would have kept the Oilers within striking distance. Instead, Skinner allowed a goal that effectively put the game out of reach for Edmonton, making it that much harder for them to mount a comeback.
3. Failure to Battle Back in the Final Minutes
Even as the Oilers tried to claw their way back into the game, Skinner was unable to make any critical saves in the final minutes. With the Oilers trailing 3-2 and pulling their goalie for the extra attacker, Skinner’s inability to provide that “game-changing” save put even more pressure on the offense to find the equalizer.
Edmonton managed to generate a few good chances in the final moments, but they were unable to break through. Skinner’s lack of confidence and poise in the game left the Oilers in a difficult position. While it’s unfair to place all the blame on him, it’s clear that Skinner wasn’t able to provide the type of stabilizing presence in net that the team needed during their comeback attempt.
The Impact on the Oilers
Skinner’s lackluster performance undoubtedly contributed to Edmonton’s loss, but it wasn’t the only issue the team faced. The Oilers’ defense had its own struggles, with turnovers and lapses in coverage allowing the Capitals to generate opportunities. The Oilers’ special teams were also ineffective, with their power play failing to convert on crucial opportunities. However, goaltending is often the most important factor in a close game, and Skinner’s failure to come up with timely saves exacerbated the team’s other shortcomings.
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the rest of Edmonton’s offensive core had their moments in the game, but they were not able to make up for the lack of consistency in net. McDavid and Draisaitl, as usual, created scoring chances, but the Oilers’ inability to convert on those opportunities—combined with Skinner’s missteps—left the team with a narrow margin for error. The Oilers’ goaltending issues continue to be a source of concern, and it remains to be seen whether Skinner can be the answer in net for the team moving forward.
Three Least Impressive Players of the Game
In addition to Skinner, there were two other players whose performances stood out as particularly disappointing. Here’s a breakdown of the three least impressive Edmonton Oilers players in this loss to Washington.
1. Stuart Skinner – Goaltender
As discussed, Skinner’s inability to make key saves at crucial moments was a significant factor in the Oilers’ loss. While it’s understandable that no goalie can stop every puck, Skinner’s lack of control on routine shots and misreads of high-danger opportunities put his team in a difficult position. The Oilers are relying on him to be a steady presence between the pipes, but in this game, he wasn’t able to deliver.
2. Tyson Barrie – Defenseman
Tyson Barrie had a rough night defensively, as he struggled to contain the Capitals’ forecheck and was on the ice for several key goals. Barrie’s decision-making and defensive positioning were questionable at times, particularly on Washington’s second goal, when he failed to close the gap on the shooter, allowing the rebound to be pounced on by Backstrom. Barrie is known for his offensive upside, but in a game like this, the Oilers needed more from him defensively. His inability to shut down Washington’s attack contributed to the Oilers’ defensive woes.
3. Zach Hyman – Forward
While Hyman has been one of the Oilers’ most reliable two-way forwards this season, he had a quiet game against the Capitals. Despite his work ethic and ability to get to the front of the net, Hyman failed to generate much offense in this game and couldn’t make the impact needed to shift the momentum in Edmonton’s favor. At times, he seemed a step behind in the offensive zone, and his defensive contributions were also lackluster. As a player who’s often relied upon to create scoring chances and generate energy, Hyman’s lack of impact was a disappointment in this critical matchup.
What’s Next for Skinner and the Oilers?
The Oilers will need to regroup after this loss, and Skinner’s performance will certainly be under the microscope. While it’s important not to place all the blame on one player, it’s clear that goaltending remains a critical issue for Edmonton. Skinner has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but games like this highlight the inconsistency that has plagued the Oilers’ goaltending for years.
For the Oilers to be successful moving forward, they will need Skinner to elevate his game, particularly in crucial moments. They’ll also need more from their defense and special teams, but solid goaltending is essential to ensuring the team can compete at the highest level.
As for Skinner, he’ll need to shake off this performance quickly. The Oilers are in a competitive playoff race, and they need all hands on deck to succeed. Skinner’s bounce-back ability will be tested in the coming weeks, and the Oilers will be hoping that their young netminder can rise to the occasion.
In the end, this loss to the Capitals serves as a reminder of the Oilers’ need for more consistency across the board—especially in net. If Skinner can improve and the team as a whole can limit defensive lapses, they’ll be in a better position to contend. But for now, the loss to Washington is a tough pill to swallow.
