Skinner starts Game 6 for Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers went back to Stuart Skinner between the pipes for Sunday's Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
On Saturday, head coach Jay Woodcroft was non-committal on who would get the nod after Skinner was replaced by Jack Campbell in Edmonton's Game 5 loss Friday. It was the third time Skinner has been pulled in 11 playoff starts this spring. Vegas won 4-3 to take a 3-2 series lead.
"He's a mature, calm, young man that works his tail off and is ready to meet whatever moment is before him," Woodcroft said of Skinner. "Specifically in this playoff run, I think he's had an ability to have a short memory and an ability to play his best when it matters most."
Skinner entered Sunday with a 5-5 record in the postseason along with an .890 save percentage and a 3.52 goals against average. Campbell has a .957 clip in these playoffs, but has only faced a combined 47 shots in relief.
The Oilers handed Skinner the reins in the regular season amid an impressive rookie campaign. The 24-year-old went 29-14-15 with a .914 save percentage, drastically out-performing Campbell, who was expected to be Edmonton's No. 1 after inking a five-year contract with the club in free agency last summer.
The Oilers came into the contest with a 3-2 record at home in the playoffs.