Oilers Game 4 Starter: Skinner in Net for Stanley Cup Final
Stuart Skinner will start in net for the Oilers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, a crucial decision after a tough Game 3 performance against the Panthers. Despite being pulled in the previous game, coach Kris Knoblauch is backing Skinner, banking on his notable 6-0 record and .955 save percentage in previous Game 4s—a statistic that spotlights skinner’s knack for elevating his game under pressure. Beyond the starting goaltender, the oilers are shaking up their lineup, with Jeff Skinner and troy Stecher entering the fold, and Connor Brown joining McDavid on the top line. Expect a disciplined and intense battle, as both teams understand the stakes. For up-to-the-minute coverage of the Oilers’ Stanley Cup push,News Directory 3 has you covered. Discover what’s next as the series unfolds.
Oilers’ Stuart Skinner Gets Another Chance to Shine in Game 4
Updated june 12, 2025
fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Despite a shaky performance in Game 3, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner will start in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida panthers on Thursday night. The oilers trail the series 2-1.
Skinner was pulled in the third period of game 3 after allowing five goals on 23 shots. However, coach Kris Knoblauch is showing confidence in the Edmonton Oilers’ netminder, hoping Skinner’s past success in Game 4 situations will translate to a crucial victory. The team hopes that this decision will improve thier Stanley Cup Final chances.
There had been speculation that Calvin Pickard might take over in net. Skinner,though,expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back. “I felt like I was going to be in,” Skinner said. “I don’t really see too much reason to panic quite yet… I’m good in these situations. I know how to bounce back.”
Skinner’s track record in Game 4s is extraordinary: a perfect 6-0 record with a 1.26 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage, including two shutouts. His performance in game 4 of last season’s Stanley Cup Final helped spark an Oilers comeback.
Knoblauch noted Skinner’s tendency to improve as series progress. “It’s just how well he’s played in the second half of a series,” Knoblauch said. “that goes for every single series this year and last year. Here’s a guy that’s going to just continue to get better as this series goes on. Hopefully we’ve got a few more games where he can stand up and play really well.”
The Oilers are also making lineup adjustments. Jeff Skinner will replace Viktor Arvidsson at forward, and Troy Stecher will step in for John Klingberg on defense. Connor Brown will join Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the top line.
“He’s a guy that’s playing really well,” McDavid said of brown. “Skates well with the puck and a confident guy that can kind play up and down your lineup.”
The Panthers,meanwhile,are expected to maintain their lineup. Florida defenseman Seth Jones anticipates a more disciplined Game 4. ”I’m sure it’s going to be just hard hockey between the whistles,” Jones said. “I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of stuff after. I think I’m sure the refs are already talking about trying to keep this thing under control but that doesn’t mean that it’s not going to be intense and in your face.”
Coach Paul Maurice echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the increasing importance of discipline as the series progresses. “There’s four games left to this series. As you get closer to Game 7, discipline becomes a more and more critical factor,” he said. “I think this is going to be the fastest, most disciplined game played by both teams. It won’t have anything to do with the way [Game 3] ended. It’ll have everything to do with it being Game 4.”
What’s next
The Oilers and Panthers face off at 8 p.m. ET. History favors the Panthers,as teams winning Game 3 after a 1-1 series tie have won the series 23 out of 30 times. The Oilers need a strong performance from Skinner and their revamped lineup to shift the momentum.