As expected, Stuart Skinner will make his first start of the 2022-23 season when the Edmonton Oilers host the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.
Skinner was in the starter’s net at the team’s practice on Monday and head coach Jay Woodcroft confirmed afterward that the Edmonton native would be getting the start…
Stuart Skinner in the starter’s net today at practice.
Oilers will be wearing their alternate jerseys tomorrow (not reverse retro). pic.twitter.com/cR7rWIyhMo
— Tom Gazzola (@TomGazzola) October 17, 2022
Tuesday’s game will be Skinner’s second appearance of the 2022-23 season for the Oilers. He came into Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames in relief of Jack Campbell, who allowed four goals on 11 shots in the first half of the third period. Skinner stopped all 31 shots that the Flames threw at him in just under 50 minutes of play.
This will be the first start that the 23-year-old has made in the NHL since last season when he made 20 saves in a 3-0 win over the San Jose Sharks on February 14. The shutout was the first of Skinner’s NHL career.
Skinner impressed in his rookie season with the Oilers last year while Mike Smith was out because of multiple injuries. Over the course of 13 NHL games in 2021-22, Skinner posted a .913 save percentage. He also put up a .920 save percentage in 235 games with the Bakersfield Condors of the NHL last season.
The Sabres are 1-1-0 on the season so far. They beat the Ottawa Senators 4-1 to kick off their season last week and then got dropped 4-3 by the Florida Panthers.
