So much for the hot seat.
Stuart Skinner silenced his critics — for now — with a rock-solid 25-save shutout Saturday night as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Dallas Stars 3–0 to tie the Western Conference Final at one game apiece.
“He made every save,” said captain Connor McDavid. “That’s a good night for a goalie.”
It was more than good — it was exactly what the Oilers needed. Skinner came up huge, including a clutch breakaway stop on Wyatt Johnston early in the third. Meanwhile, Edmonton played perhaps its most complete game of the playoffs, dominating at five-on-five, killing both Dallas power plays, and out-hitting the Stars 49–28.
Goals from Brett Kulak and Connor Brown, just 73 seconds apart in the second, gave the Oilers a cushion. Evan Bouchard added two assists. But it was Skinner’s bounce-back that stole the show.
“Stu had a lot of timely saves,” head coach Kris Knoblauch said. “That breakaway stop let us keep control.”
Leon Draisaitl showed his grit with three blocked shots, tying Bouchard for the team lead. Zach Hyman led all skaters with nine hits. This wasn’t just a win — it was a blueprint.
“If we can shore up the special teams, which we’re usually good at, we’ll be in a good spot,” Hyman said.
The only blemish? A slash from Darnell Nurse that sent Roope Hintz to the dressing room. Dallas coach Pete DeBoer wasn’t thrilled.
“If that’s McDavid, is it still a minor?” he asked.
Regardless, the series now shifts to Rogers Place for a Sunday matinee. The Oilers have won five of six periods so far — and if Skinner keeps this up, the Stars are in for a long trip north.
