The performance by the very-soon-to-be 24-year-old (his birthday is Tuesday) reminded Oilers fans of the days of Grant Fear making the save that kept his team close enough. Zach Hyman then came on like a demon to score the game-winning goal. The Saddledome was no haunted house for Edmonton and a big reason for that was the Oilers netminder. He didn't look afraid, even if it was Halloween weekend, of the challenge that stood in front of him and his team.
He killed it by making 40 saves on 42 shots -- none bigger than the one on Mikael Backlund to prevent a 3-1 Calgary lead with a second-straight shorthanded goal. That might have buried Edmonton's hopes of a win. Instead, there was an eerie feeling that Skinner would be the difference between victory and defeat.
Edmonton could have started Jack (O'lantern) Campbell, but they decided to go with Skinner. I don't know if Coach Jay Woodcroft likes horror movies, but he isn't hiding behind just one goalie early in the 2022-23 season. The fans aren't going to boo, but they will serenade the starter with Stuuuuuu. You know the Edmonton product was dying for this opportunity to be a difference-maker against the provincial rivals. He said as much in the post-game interview.
"Growing up, you live for these moments," Skinner said. "There was a moment there in the third where I had to snap my fingers a bit and pinch myself and get back to work."
It must have worked as he proved to be unbeatable the rest of the game. In fact, when Skinner went to bed Saturday night, he had the best save percentage in the entire National Hockey League. It's downright creepy how unbelievable the netminder has been for Edmonton. He's now looking over his shoulder at the rest of the league's netminders who are chasing his impressive .955 mark.
The goaltender certainly isn't built like a scarecrow. He is strappingly tall and strongly built, yet athletic and nimble with his netminding movements. This isn't a costume the Edmonton goalie is wearing, it's a real Oilers jersey and not one just worn on Halloween night. This isn't a trick, instead it's a treat to witness what Skinner has accomplished early this season.
It's hard to predict how long Skinner will be able to tombstone the rest of the NHL's shooters. He hasn't been coffin up rebounds and that has given the Oilers two goalies they can rely on in all situations, witch makes fans very, very happy. Enjoy the candy and have a safe and happy Halloween.
