‘I needed to be better’: Skinner taking his share of blame after Oilers’ elimination

After allowing four goals on 17 shots in the Edmonton Oilers’ do-or-die Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Stuart Skinner was pulled for the third time in a matter of four games.

So when the Oilers ultimately fell 5-2, allowing the Golden Knights to advance on to the Western Conference Final, it’s no surprise the rookie goaltender put some of the blame on himself.

“I think I needed to be better. I got pulled countless times. Hard to take this one on the chin, for sure,” Skinner told media post-game.

“This is a chapter where it stings and it sucks and it’s painful.”

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The 24-year-old Calder Trophy nominee was replaced in net by Jack Campbell on Sunday night, just as he had been in the third and fifth games of this series. Skinner was also pulled in one of the Oilers’ Round 1 games against the Los Angeles Kings.

Although Campbell had stopped 45-of-47 shots across his three relief appearances ahead of Game 6, the team ultimately chose to stick with Skinner as the starter as they faced elimination.

When asked how he felt going into Sunday night’s game, Skinner said he still felt confident.

“No matter what, I feel good. I know how to play the game. I’ve done it for many years. I’ve been able to rebound from a lot of goals against in my lifetime,” he said.

“I mean if you think about it this year, there’s one shutout I got. So every game I’m letting in a goal. I’ve had a lot of practice to rebound against goals against. If it’s bad luck, if it’s a good goal, if it’s a bad goal, if it’s my fault. Whatever. I’ve been in all those scenarios. I know how to refocus. I know how to stay confident. I don’t think confidence was the problem for me.”

Expected to act as Campbell’s backup this season, Skinner took on a bigger role than initially planned in both the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With a .914 save percentage and 2.75 goals-against average over his 50 regular-season appearances, Skinner saw his stats significantly drop over 12 post-season appearances to a .883 save percentage and 3.68 goals-against average.

More from Sportsnet

Oilers eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoffs after losing to Golden Knights in Game 6

Draisaitl reflects on Oilers’ playoff defeat: ‘feels like a failure or a wasted year’

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