Stuart Skinner Takes Accountability as Penguins Fall in OT to Islanders
Stuart Skinner’s journey from Edmonton to Pittsburgh has been anything but quiet. In Edmonton, he was often the lightning rod when things went south-particularly in the postseason.
Now with the Penguins, Skinner’s been solid, if not spectacular, putting up an 8-4-1 record so far. But Tuesday night’s overtime loss to the New York Islanders was a reminder that the margin for error in the NHL this time of year is razor thin-and Skinner knows it.
After the game, the Penguins netminder didn’t duck the blame.
“I didn't feel like I played very well,” Skinner said. “I think the guys deserved a lot better, especially with how they worked.
They always kept the lead. I definitely needed to be better for this group.”
That kind of accountability says a lot about where Skinner is mentally. He’s not hiding behind stats or bad bounces. He knows the expectations in Pittsburgh are high-and that the standings are tight enough that every point matters.
Let’s break down the game. Skinner gave up five goals on 23 shots-not the kind of line that’ll win you many games.
But it wasn’t all rough. After surrendering two in the opening frame, Skinner locked in during the second period, helping the Penguins take a 3-2 lead into the third.
That’s where things unraveled. Two more goals in the final 20 minutes, and then the game-winner in OT, sealed the Penguins’ fate.
Head coach Dan Muse didn’t sugarcoat it either.
“We’re at the point of the season [where] we need that other point,” Muse said. “Especially against these guys, where things are in the standings.
So, you walk away disappointed. Obviously, at the end, it wasn’t quite enough.
But the process, I thought our overall game was better.”
The standings make it clear-this one stings. Pittsburgh sits at 28-15-12, just a single point ahead of the Islanders in the Metropolitan Division. This wasn’t just a game; it was a four-point swing against a direct rival.
As for the goaltending situation, Skinner hasn’t exactly outplayed his predecessor. Tristan Jarry, before the change, posted a 9-3-1 record with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.
Skinner, meanwhile, sits at 2.72 GAA with an .887 save percentage. The wins are coming, but the numbers show room for improvement.
Still, the Penguins are finding ways to stay in the mix. Even without elite-level goaltending, they’ve managed to stay near the top of the division. That speaks to the group effort-and the kind of resilience that could pay off down the stretch.
Pittsburgh wraps up its pre-Olympic schedule on Thursday night with a road tilt against the Buffalo Sabres. It’s one more chance to bank crucial points before the league hits pause. And for Skinner, it’s another opportunity to show he’s more than just a stopgap in net-he’s a goaltender capable of helping this team make a real push.