The 2025 Stanley Cup Final features two elite goaltenders with very different career paths. Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers are central figures in their teams’ playoff success this year. Who they are, what they’ve done this season, and how they’ve performed in the playoffs make this matchup one to watch.
Skinner, the 26-year-old Edmonton native, has rebounded from a shaky start to become one of the most talked-about players in the postseason. Meanwhile, 36-year-old Bobrovsky again proves his worth, leading the Panthers with poise and consistency.
Skinner’s recent performances, notably his first playoff goal in the Western Conference Final, have turned heads. His strong save percentages and ability to handle pressure are earning comparisons to Oilers legend Grant Fuhr. On the other side, Bobrovsky, who was undrafted, continues to defy expectations and anchor Florida’s back end in critical moments.
Stuart Skinner’s Playoff Stats in the Spotlight
Skinner’s postseason started on the wrong foot. He lost the starting job after a rough showing against the Los Angeles Kings. Calvin Pickard briefly took over, but an injury brought Skinner back, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Against Vegas, Skinner went 2-1 with a .934 save percentage. Then came Dallas, where he truly hit his stride: 3-1 with an eye-popping .967 save percentage. In his last five games, Skinner stopped 86 of 88 shots, including a shutout. He appears calm, collected, and in complete control on the net.
Stuart Skinner has been on 🔥 over the last three games, saving 86 of 88 total shots❗️ pic.twitter.com/qSZjAORbM5
— BarDown (@BarDown) May 28, 2025
Skinner’s 2024-25 playoff numbers sit at a solid 6-3 record with a 2.53 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. It’s a significant jump from earlier rounds, signaling a confident goalie in peak form.
Standing at 6’4″, Skinner was drafted 78th overall by the Oilers in 2017. After paying his dues in the minors and earning his first NHL win in 2021, he slowly built up his résumé, culminating in a starting role and a potential Stanley Cup moment in 2025.
Sergei Bobrovsky’s Playoff Stats in the Spotlight
While Skinner’s rise is steep and dramatic, Bobrovsky’s playoff run is more about sustained excellence. The Russian goalie has been solid throughout the 2024-25 postseason. With a 12-3 record, 2.11 goals-against average, and .912 save percentage, Bobrovsky is once again showcasing the consistency that made him a two-time Vezina Trophy winner.
Sergei Bobrovsky has gone from undrafted to a two-time Vezina Trophy-winning #StanleyCup champion.
His 700 regular-season games played are the most ever by a goaltender before his first Cup.#NHLStats: https://t.co/LO090DD4jo pic.twitter.com/XdvGnuLorr
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) June 25, 2024
His most recent series against Carolina saw standout moments, most notably a 33-save, .939 performance to close out the series. His ability to shut the door when it matters is exactly why the Panthers lean on him year after year.
Bobrovsky’s experience could be critical as Florida seeks its first-ever Stanley Cup win. He’s also the third goalie in 67 years to win back-to-back playoff games with over 50 saves, continuing his reputation as one of the league’s most durable and reliable goaltenders.
Though Skinner’s story is that of a rising star, Bobrovsky represents a stabilizing force who has seen everything the Stanley Cup Playoffs can throw at a netminder. As the Stanley Cup Final unfolds, the head-to-head battle between Skinner and Bobrovsky could very well decide who lifts the trophy. Whether it’s Skinner’s late-blooming brilliance or Bobrovsky’s veteran steadiness, this goaltending duel is must-watch hockey.
