Oilers' Stuart Skinner remains confident in his game despite 9-1 beating by Avalanche

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner remains confident in his game despite a tough 9-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The 27-year-old netminder will start against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday as the Oilers look to rebound.

Speaking to the media before their home matchup with the Blue Jackets, Skinner said he still feels good about his play.

"I feel like it's pretty good," Skinner said. "Obviously, I really didn't like that second goal last game. I feel like my game has been pretty consistent. It's been pretty good."

The second goal was scored by Cale Makar, who scored the first goal as well. Devon Toews and Nathan Mackinnon assisted on both those goals. The second goal came at 14:35 with a snap shot by Makar, nearly a minute after his first goal.

Stuart Skinner has gone 1-1-2 in his last four starts, posting a 3.58 goals-against average and a .875 save percentage. He was pulled in Saturday’s game after allowing four goals on 13 shots.

So, Skinner knows there is room to improve.

"I definitely got a lot of work and a lot of work here to do," Skinner said. "I got to make some timely saves, some saves when we did give up a breakaway that, you know, I got to be the guy to come up with a save in Dallas. You got to come up with a shootout save, you know; maybe that gives us the extra point. So there's all these little things."

This season, Stuart Skinner holds a 4-4-3 record with a 2.81 GAA and a .889 save percentage through 11 starts. The Oilers currently sit seventh in the Pacific Division with a minus-10 goal differential and 6-6-4 record.

Skinner emphasized the importance of helping the team when it matters most.

"And especially as a goaltender, when you get those chances to bail your team, or a chance just to, you know, make a timely save, it can cost you a point, two points," Skinner said.

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Knoblauch defended Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard

On Saturday, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch defended his goalies after their loss to the Avalanche. He said the team has not lost confidence in Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard.

"I don’t believe so," Knoblauch said, about players losing belief in Oilers goaltending. "There have been games where our goaltending has been good... I see bigger issues than just goaltending."

Knoblauch was referring to the team’s defense as a bigger problem than the goaltending. Amid these struggles, Skinner remains focused on improving and giving his team the best chance to win.