The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a critical situation, down 2-1 to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. As they head into Game 4, all eyes are on goaltender Stuart Skinner. Can he live up to his reputation as "Mr. Game 4" and deliver a much-needed victory for his team?
Skinner's track record in Game 4s is undeniably impressive. Before Thursday's game, he boasted a perfect 6-0 record, accompanied by a stellar 1.26 goals-against average, a .955 save percentage, and two shutouts. This includes notable performances earlier in the 2025 playoffs, such as a 23-save shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round and a 28-save performance against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final. These numbers suggest a remarkable ability to rise to the occasion when his team needs him most.
Despite his historical success in Game 4s, Skinner is coming off a difficult Game 3 where he allowed five goals on 23 shots before being pulled. This performance has put him under intense scrutiny, but Coach Kris Knoblauch has expressed confidence in his netminder, choosing to stick with Skinner instead of turning to backup Calvin Pickard. Knoblauch cited Skinner's resilience and his tendency to improve as a series progresses as key reasons for his decision.
Skinner himself acknowledges the buzz surrounding his Game 4 record, though he admits he wasn't fully aware of the specific statistics. He attributes his success to his ability to find a rhythm as a series unfolds. "I just think as series go on I get better and better," Skinner said. "As series go on, I just feel like I start to get a little bit more of a rhythm and hopefully that continues." More importantly, Skinner conveys his focus remains the same regardless of the game number. "I'm just doing my best every night, whether it's Game 1, Game 4 or Game 7. I'm just trying to do my best and give my team a chance to win.”
In addition to sticking with Skinner in net, Knoblauch is making several lineup changes in an attempt to spark a response from his team. Forwards Troy Stecher and Jeff Skinner will enter the lineup, replacing John Klingberg and Viktor Arvidsson, respectively. Connor Brown will move up to play alongside Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, while Corey Perry will shift to the fourth line. These adjustments reflect Knoblauch's willingness to adapt and find the right combination to support Skinner and ignite the Oilers' offense.
The Oilers need Skinner to be at his best. The Panthers are a formidable opponent, and the Oilers cannot afford another performance like Game 3 if they hope to climb back into the series. The pressure is on Skinner to not only replicate his past Game 4 heroics but also to shake off the disappointment of his recent struggles.
Ultimately, whether Stuart Skinner can deliver for the Oilers in Game 4 remains to be seen. However, his history suggests he is capable of rising to the occasion. With a few lineup adjustments in front of him, and the backing of his coach, Skinner has the opportunity to silence his doubters and lead the Oilers to a crucial victory.
