The 2025 NHL postseason is fast approaching, and the quest for the Stanley Cup is heating up. The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a tight spot, sitting third in the Pacific Division with 91 points from 74 games, and they have yet to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Last season, the Oilers made an impressive run to the finals with Stuart Skinner guarding the net, but this year, their path looks a bit rockier due to what some experts, like NHL analyst Bryan Hayes, describe as "pretty ugly" goaltending.
Bryan Hayes didn't mince words during Thursday’s "OverDrive" podcast episode, where he discussed the Oilers' current situation. He reminisced about Edmonton's storied history of goalies who rose to the challenge in crucial moments, while simultaneously expressing skepticism about Skinner's ability to rise to the occasion this year.
"I don't know if I could trust Stuart Skinner," Hayes remarked candidly at the 02:52 mark. "He's not a seasoned vet like Grant Fuhr, who you'd bank on during big games. Sure, Skinner did well last year, but this season has been rough."
For Skinner, who was a third-round pick for the Oilers back in 2017, the 2022-23 season was something of a breakout. He came close to winning the Calder Memorial Trophy, placing second in the voting. But fast forward to this season, and his save percentage has plummeted to .894 over 48 starts, with six games seeing him let in five or more goals.
Last year's postseason highlighted both Skinner's potential and his inconsistency. While he was the hero in Game 6 of the Western Conference final, holding Dallas to a single goal with 33 saves, he stumbled in the Stanley Cup final against Florida, conceding a total of nine goals in the opening three games.
With Skinner currently sidelined due to a concussion from a clash with Mikko Rantanen of the Stars, the Oilers have turned to their backup, Calvin Pickard. He’s been stepping up lately, securing a 3-2 victory in Vegas this Tuesday, his third consecutive start. Despite the pressure, Pickard has shown resilience; he also spearheaded a 3-2 win over Calgary by stopping 26 shots, maintaining his solid form through overtime.
Play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels has confirmed that Pickard is slated to start against the Sharks in San Jose on Thursday. With Skinner's future still uncertain, the spotlight's now on Pickard to keep the Oilers' playoff dreams alive. Whatever happens next, it's clear the Oilers' season hangs in the balance, with every game being critical for securing their postseason fate.
[Add appropriate lead-up discussion and conclusion here if needed based on game outcomes or further updates.]
