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Edmonton Oilers News
Jeff Skinner (upper body) will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. Toronto.

Skinner has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but was a full participant at practice on Wednesday, and will be a game-time decision on Thursday. Skinner has 22 points (12G / 10A) in 30 games this season and is averaging 17:46 time-on-ice, the most since his inaugural season with the Sabres in 2018-19. The Sabres are 1-2-0 in his absence, including a 9-4 blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

Jeff Skinner
Stuart Skinner will start Friday vs. the New York Rangers.

The Oilers snapped a three-game skid on Thursday with a 6-3 win over the New Jersey Devils courtesy of a strong performance from Calvin Pickard but will turn back to Skinner on the back end of a back-to-back on Friday. Skinner has lost two consecutive starts, allowing eight goals on 43 combined shots (.814 SV%), but had won his previous seven, boasting a tremendous .934 SV%. The Oilers are slight +107 road underdogs against an Eastern Conference powerhouse in the New York Rangers, who have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 12-4, and will likely turn to Jonathan Quick between the pipes.

Stuart Skinner
Calvin Pickard will start Thursday in New Jersey.

After winning eight straight, the Oilers have suddenly lost three in a row, being outscored 15-6, and will turn to Pickard on the front end of a back-to-back on Thursday to try and stop the bleeding. Pickard has four appearances with the Oilers this season, most recently allowing five goals on 39 shots (.872 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on December 16th. The Oilers will face off against a New Jersey Devils team also in a skid, being outscored 8-3 over their last two contests (0-1-1).

Calvin Pickard
Connor Brown is expected to be a healthy scratch Thursday vs. New Jersey.

Brown has failed to materialize as a contributor to the Oilers' offence this season and will likely serve as a healthy scratch on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. While averaging 14:26 time-on-ice, Brown has scored only one point (0G / 1A) through 23 games, including occasional deployment in the Oilers' top six.

Connor Brown
Jeff Skinner returned to Sabres' practice in full Wednesday.

Skinner has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but was a full participant at practice on Wednesday, suggesting his return to the lineup could come before the holiday break. Skinner has 22 points (12G / 10A) in 30 games this season and is averaging 17:46 time-on-ice, the most since his inaugural season with the Sabres in 2018-19. The Sabres are 1-2-0 in his absence, including a 9-4 blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

Jeff Skinner
Skinner will start on Long Island on Tuesday.

After winning eight straight contests, the Oilers have lost two in a row and will look to get back in the win column with Skinner between the pipes on Tuesday. Skinner last played on Friday, allowing five goals on 22 shots (.773 SV%) in a 7-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but was near impenetrable heading into that game, posting a .934 SV% over a seven-game stretch (7-0-0). The Oilers are -134 road favourites against the New York Islanders, who have lost two straight games (0-1-1).

Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner was in the Oilers' starters net at morning skate Tuesday.

After winning eight straight contests, the Oilers have lost two in a row and will look to get back in the win column with Skinner between the pipes on Tuesday. Skinner last played on Friday, allowing five goals on 22 shots (.773 SV%) in a 7-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but was near impenetrable heading into that game, posting a .934 SV% over a seven-game stretch (7-0-0). The Oilers are -134 road favourites against the New York Islanders, who have lost two straight games (0-1-1).

Stuart Skinner
Skinner will start against the Lightning on Thursday.

Skinner will start for the second straight game as he searches for his eighth consecutive victory. Skinner has been tremendous lately allowing fewer than three goals in five of his last seven games (7-0-0), boasting a stellar .935 SV%. The Oilers will look for their ninth straight win as sizeable -173 home favourites against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that has lost two of their last three (1-2-0), being outscored 12-6, and will be without Victor Hedman for a second straight game.

Stuart Skinner
Jeff Skinner (upper body) has been placed on the Injured Reserve.

Skinner exited the Sabres' previous contest with an upper-body injury after playing 7:57 time-on-ice. He will miss at least one week as he has been placed on the injured reserve. Skinner has 22 points (12G / 10A) in 30 games this season and is averaging 17:46 time-on-ice, the most since his inaugural season with the Sabres in 2018-19 season.

Jeff Skinner
Stuart Skinner is expected to start Thursday vs. Tampa Bay.

Skinner will likely start for the second straight game as he searches for his eighth consecutive victory. Skinner has been tremendous lately allowing fewer than three goals in five of his last seven games (7-0-0), boasting a stellar .935 SV%. The Oilers will look for their ninth straight win as sizeable -173 home favourites against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that has lost two of their last three (1-2-0), being outscored 12-6, and will be without Victor Hedman for a second straight game.

Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner will start vs. Chicago.

After starting seven straight games (6-1-0), Skinner will be rested against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday after serving as the backup to Calvin Pickard in a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. Skinner is riding a six-game winning streak and has been tremendous for the Oilers, allowing only 11 total goals over that stretch, posting a .932 SV%. The Oilers have turned their season around as they will look for their eighth straight win as overwhelming -468 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that has not scored more than three goals in their last seven games (2-4-1).

Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner was in the starter's crease at Edmonton's morning skate.

After starting seven straight games (6-1-0), Skinner will be rested against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday after serving as the backup to Calvin Pickard in a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. Skinner is riding a six-game winning streak and has been tremendous for the Oilers, allowing only 11 total goals over that stretch, posting a .932 SV%. The Oilers have turned their season around as they will look for their eighth straight win as overwhelming -468 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that has not scored more than three goals in their last seven games (2-4-1).

Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner will start Friday vs. Minnesota.

Skinner will start for the seventh straight game and look for his sixth straight victory on Friday. Skinner has elevated his game since the Oilers changed coaches last month, highlighted by a tremendous .943 SV% during his season-best five-game winning streak, allowing only eight total goals over that stretch. The Oilers are considerable -187 home favourites against a Minnesota Wild team that has played well lately but was shut out 2-0 last night against the Vancouver Canucks.

Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner was in the starter's crease Friday at Edmonton's morning skate.

Skinner will likely start for the seventh straight game and look for his sixth straight victory on Friday. Skinner has elevated his game since the Oilers changed coaches last month, highlighted by a tremendous .943 SV% during his season-best five-game winning streak, allowing only eight total goals over that stretch. The Oilers are considerable -187 home favourites against a Minnesota Wild team that has played well lately but was shut out 2-0 last night against the Vancouver Canucks.

Stuart Skinner
Skinner will start against the Hurricanes on Wednesday.

Skinner will make his sixth straight start as he goes for his fifth consecutive win Wednesday as he takes on Carolina at home. The 25-year-old has improved his play of late but still has some ugly season totals with his 8-7-1 record, 3.16 GAA and .881 SV%. He will host the Carolina Hurricanes, who have lost two of their last three games but lead the NHL in shots on goal per game (34.5).

Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner is projected to start Wednesday vs. Carolina.

Skinner will make his sixth straight start as he goes for his fifth consecutive win Wednesday as he takes on Carolina at home. The 25-year-old has improved his play of late but still has some ugly season totals with his 8-7-1 record, 3.16 GAA and .881 SV%. He will host the Carolina Hurricanes, who have lost two of their last three games but lead the NHL in shots on goal per game (34.5).

Stuart Skinner