Skinner allowed three goals on 23 shots in the Oilers loss to the Sabres last Tuesday. Through two appearances, Skinner has gone 0-1-0 while turning aside 51 of 54 shots (.944 SV%. That brings his SV% to .913 through 16 career appearances (14 starts). On Wednesday, he'll face a Blues team that is 3-1-0 and just knocked off Jack Campbell and the Oilers 2-0 on Saturday.
Skinner should draw his first start of the season Tuesday as the Oilers host the Sabres on home ice. The Edmonton native was phenomenal in relief of Jack Campbell Saturday stopping all 31 of 31 shots while limiting the damage in the Oilers' 4-3 loss to Calgary. He enjoyed a strong first rookie season in 2021-22, collecting a .913 SV% while winning six of 12 starts.
With Mike Smith dealing with an illness, Skinner will serve as Mikko Koskinen's backup in Calgary. Skinner has gone 11-2-4 with a 2.24 GAA and .919 SV% in 18 games with Bakersfield this season.
With Mikko Koskinen returning from the COVID-19 protocol list, Skinner goes back to the AHL. Skinner is coming off of his first career shutout and has gone 6-6-0 with a 2.62 GAA and .913 SV% with the Oilers this season.
Mike Smith will start Tuesday vs. Vegas but Skinner will likely start Wednesday with Mikko Koskinen landing in COVID-19 protocol. Skinner has gone 8-0-2 with a 1.97 GAA and .928 SV% in 10 AHL games and 5-6-0 with a 2.85 GAA and .908 SV% in 12 NHL games this season.
The Oilers woes continue with Skinner getting added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Monday morning. With Mike Smith also banged up right now, expect Mikko Koskinen to start on Thursday.
