Matheson: Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner tips his mask to Tampa Bay’s Vasilevskiy

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“He (Vasilevskiy) was pretty spectacular, what he was doing. I respect a lot about him. He’s obviously the best in the world right now,” said Skinner

Published Dec 15, 2023  •  5 minute read

The Edmonton Oilers’ goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during second period NHL action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton Thursday Dec. 14, 2023. Photo by David Bloom /PostmediaArticle content

Glenn Hall, aka Mr. Goalie, has always said that nobody forces a young player into the net at gun-point, instead, they go willingly knowing they’re always a target.

So, Stuart Skinner falling on his own sword after Thursday’s 7-4 loss to Tampa Bay, giving up two goals in the third he definitely would want back, after coming into the game with seven straight wins and a .934 save percentage, was all about a goalie knowing the score. He got outplayed by Andrei Vasilevskiy in the other end.

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“I thought it (Skinner showing ownership) was very positive, very professional,” said Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch, after hearing Skinner tell it exactly the way it was post-game, in fact, sounding a lot like Grant Fuhr in the 80s who never felt he gave up a goal he didn’t think was his fault.

“Spread out, spread out,” Fuhr yelled one night as he faced a 4-on-1 jail-break with one Oiler D back and gave up a goal he was mad about.

“There’s pressure on players but so much scrutiny on goalies. For me, Stu has the makeup of what a goalie should have. I think it’ll make for a long, successful career,” said Knoblauch, who wouldn’t say if Skinner would be back in the cage Saturday night against Florida Panthers here, or maybe Calvin Pickard might get his third start since his recall six weeks ago from Bakersfield.

“Goalies and coaches are very similar. They often get way too much credit when a team wins and too much blame in a loss. It’s unnecessary,” said Knoblauch.

Knoblauch laughed at hearing Hall say goalies know what they’re getting into it, very early in hockey life.

“Yeah, they make that decision when they’re eight and not 24. They didn’t know the ramifications (of that move as kids, often because they like the feeling of goalie pads and masks)” he said, with a big grin.

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The Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ (93) shot gets past the Tampa Bay Lightning’s goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during third period NHL action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton Thursday Dec. 14, 2023. The Lightning won 7-4. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

Skinner tipped his mask to Vasilevskiy’s play after his 53 saves, the first time he’s played against him. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid both had seven shots, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman and Warren Foegele six.

“He was pretty spectacular, what he was doing. I respect a lot about him. He’s obviously the best in the world right now,” said Skinner. “He’s athletic and competes so hard. He’s able to make the easy saves and the difficult ones too. His flexibility, his capability, his compete, it’s quite impressive. Especially for a guy his size.”

“Hall of Fame performance by a Hall of Fame goalie and he’s only 28 years old,” said Tampa captain Steven Stamkos, who scored four goals, first time he’s done that.

Kudos to the foot soldiers

The Oilers’ fourth line of James Hamblin, Derek Ryan and Sam Gagner continued to contribute. After goals by Gagner and Ryan late in the first period of the two previous games, the line also got the Oilers to the league’s fourth best power play twice against Tampa.

The Edmonton Oilers’ James Hamblin (57) battles the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Tanner Jeannot (84) as goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes the save during third period NHL action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton Thursday Dec. 14, 2023. The Lightning won 7-4. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

“The line drew two penalties and for me that’s 0.4 goals,” said Knoblauch. “They do that two games in a row and that’s as good as scoring a goal. I’m very happy for that fourth line. Unfortunately, their ice-time is only between eight and nine a half minutes a game. I’d like to get them more.”

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“Yeah, thanks for noticing that (drawing two penalties),” said Ryan, who also set up a shortie by Darnell Nurse on a penalty-kill. “It’s important (to draw infractions). Obviously our power play is lethal and anytime you can get them on the ice, it’s a victory for our line if we draw a penalty.”

Ryan is pumped by the play of Hamblin.

“We’re seeing him grow in confidence. He’s a hard-working centerman, really responsible defensively. He’s the kind of player I like to play with. He’s predictable, knows where to be on the ice,” said Ryan.

Looking at the clock

Knoblauch said he had no trepidation in the American League (Hartford) about pulling his goalie in the third period with lots of minutes left and his team trailing, so yanking Skinner with about six minutes left Thursday and the Oilers down 5-3 and on a PP, was a no-brainer for him.

“I thought we needed it. When you’re on the power play and you have an offensive face-off and it’s a structured situation, I had no issues with it (taking Skinner out then),” said Knoblauch, who watched Vasilevskiy make nine saves on the 6-on-4.

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