Stuart Skinner has been huge for the Edmonton Oilers when it has mattered the most.
EDMONTON -- Special teams and goaltending can win you a Stanley Cup.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85dyrmic1AI[/embed]
The Edmonton Oilers are two wins away from making that a reality. There is no way that the Oilers are in their current position if it wasn't for the play of their goaltender Stuart Skinner.
He has taken his game to a whole new level the longer a series goes on. The stats back up that claim.
Skinner has been unbelievable through Games four and seven in every playoff series this year. He has a 9-0 record to go along with a 1.56 goals against average (GAA), a .938 save percentage (SV%) and one shutout.
This is an incredible collection of statistics. Especially when you compare it to his numbers through Games one through three. Meghan Chayka of Stathletes posted this graphic to twitter that breaks everything down.
In the first three games of each series this playoff run Skinner has a 4-8 record, 3.25 GAA, and a .859 SV%. That is a dramatic shift in numbers.
If there is one thing the Oilers have been good at this season, it's bouncing back. Skinner is the biggest example of that on the team. He knows when he has a bad game and needs to be better. He also has the mental fortitude and maturity to make adjustments, but not get carried away and stray from his game.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK-CO1Zw4fk[/embed]
Tonight is another pressure cooker for the budding goaltender to step inside of. If I was a betting man, I'd bet that he has another big game tonight for the Oilers.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss news, interviews or any other updates on the Oilers.
Related: Former Oilers' Enforcer Mocks Matthew Tkachuk
Related: Oilers Schedule For Last Cup Final Games
Related: Former Oilers' Forward is Getting Married
Related: McDavid Does Something Not Seen Since Gretzky
Related: 'When We're Against the Wall, He Puts us on His Back': Corey Perry Praises Connor McDavid