Stuart Skinner replaced Pickard and gave up two goals on 16 shots. He’s been Edmonton’s starting netminder for the better part of the last three seasons and has endured an inconsistent campaign that perhaps most threatens the team’s chances of contending for the Stanley Cup.

The only men on the Oilers roster who play a prominent position and are mid-20s are Evan Bouchard (25) and Stuart Skinner (26). None of that is out of time with the rest of the NHL. A team with a strong chance to win the Stanley Cup will often have a large swath of the roster in the age 28-32 range.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) takes down Tampa Bay Lightning center Michael Eyssimont in front of goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) during the second period o

Edmonton Oilers' Stuart Skinner plays during an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/)

The Edmonton Oilers have made it through the trade deadline now without trading for another goaltender, which puts the pressure onto Stuart Skinner to take the team to another Stanley Cup Final.

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He'll have a tough test Saturday against a Dallas club that sits fourth in the NHL with 3.40 goals per game and acquired Mikko Rantanen in a blockbuster trade from the Hurricanes on Friday.

Oilers starting goalie Stuart Skinner has been in a major rut as of late, but one analyst is warning that starting Calvin Pickard more may alienate Stuart Skinner.

If it’s going to be Skinner or bust for the Oilers this spring, then Thursday’s 26-save performance was an excellent place to start what amounts to a bit of a rebuild of Skinner’s game, but more so, the defensive posture of the skaters in front of him.

On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.

The Edmonton Oilers are in desperate need of goaltending upgrades this season, with John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks being linked to the club as a potential target.