The Edmonton Oilers were crushed 6-1 by the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night. The loss puts the Oilers behind 2-1 in the series as they prepare for a must-win Game 4 on Thursday in Edmonton.
Edmonton Oilers’ $7.8M Goalie, Stuart Skinner, Shoulders Blame
Goaltender Stuart Skinner, who allowed five goals on 23 shots before being pulled in the third period, didn’t deflect blame. Instead, he openly acknowledged his struggles.
“As a goalie, you’ve got to come up with a save. It doesn’t matter. It’s a game of inches,” Skinner said after the loss. “I don’t like letting open shots in, so I take accountability on those.”
Skinner’s night began on shaky ground, conceding a goal to Brad Marchand just 56 seconds into the game. The Panthers capitalized on defensive lapses and power-play opportunities, and after the Oilers had incurred heavy losses, they swapped Skinner for backup goalie Calvin Pickard with over 16 minutes remaining.
Calvin Pickard replaced Stuart Skinner in Game 3 after Skinner allowed five goals on 23 shots. #LetsGoOilers | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Jx7mzR2JJV
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 10, 2025
Oilers’ Collapse Raises Goaltending Questions Ahead of Game 4
Skinner’s performance in Game 3 continued a troubling trend. He has now surrendered 13 goals on 97 shots across three games, with his save percentage dipping to .866. That figure marks a notable drop from his .896 postseason average.
Team captain Connor McDavid stood by his goalie despite the rough outing, saying Skinner’s decision to take responsibility was “honorable.” McDavid noted that defensive breakdowns allowed the Panthers too much time and space.
McDavid continued emphasizing how the Oilers could do much better than the disaster that was Game 3.
“We can be better for sure,” McDavid said.
Even McDavid realizes the paramount importance that Game 4 holds, and now, he has his eyes set firmly on giving his absolute best on Thursday.
“Game 4 is a really big game, you go back home 2-2, or down 3-1,” McDavid said. “It’s a big swing game. If you win Game 4, you are going back home with a lot of momentum.”
Coach Kris Knoblauch has yet to name a starter for Game 4, but the decision won’t be easy. While Skinner has shown glimpses of consistency in earlier rounds, particularly against the Dallas Stars, his play in the final has been shaky.
Analysts, including TSN’s Craig Button, have criticized Skinner’s technique and readiness, particularly on the game’s first goal, calling it “sloppy goaltending.”
Pickard, who came in as relief, hadn’t played since the second-round series against Vegas due to injury. He allowed one goal in the final frame but was otherwise solid in his brief appearance.
Skinner remained candid in assessing his mistakes. He admitted that while some of the Panthers’ goals came from strong shots and a bit of puck luck, others were stoppable.
The Oilers now face a pivotal moment in their playoff run. Game 4 will be about more than just tactics; it’s about trust in the net. Whether it’s Skinner or Pickard between the pipes, the team must respond or risk falling into a 3-1 hole in the series. The Oilers have little room for error; all eyes will be on their crease come Thursday night.