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Stuart Skinner opens up on 'nerve-wracking' game against his former team in Penguins debut
Now-ex Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, who ironically had to play his first game in a Penguins sweater against Edmonton, talked about the experience after losing 6-4 to his former teammates on Tuesday night.
After the blockbuster trade between the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins last Friday involving goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Stuart Skinner, both goaltenders would ironically have to play against one another just days later in their new sweaters.
The Oilers won 6-4 at PPG Paints Arena, and scored five goals on their former teammate.
Skinner, who didn't have the game he wanted to in his Penguins debut against his old teammates, said that the experience was "nerve wracking" and also said he was glad the experience was behind him.
Especially against the Oil, I think the fact that it was the Oilers made it a little more hype, something everyone was going to be talking about.
It was a little nerve-wracking. But after the first period, I felt like I did a good job settling in.
- Stuart Skinner.
It was a little nerve-wracking. But after the first period, I felt like I did a good job settling in.
- Stuart Skinner.
His old teammate Leon Draisaitl had four points, including his 1,000th career NHL point, which Skinner noted was "bittersweet" giving up.
Bittersweet. Whenever anybody gets 1,000 points, you're going to congratulate them. But I would have rather it not be on me. - Stuart Skinner
Penguins Goalie Stuart Skinner Is A Pending UFA At The End Of This Season
The Oilers decided they could not wait any longer for Skinner to find some level of consistency that they'd be comfortable trusting him with to bring them on another extended playoff run.
Even though some fans and analysts are questioning their decision to swap him for Jarry, who has had his own struggles and was even waived by the Penguins last year, it's the direction they went with.
Skinner is a pending UFA at the end of the season, and clearly did not fit into the plans of the Oilers. His replacement, Tristan Jarry, is under contract for several more seasons.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 142 ANSWERS Stuart Skinner opens up on 'nerve-wracking' game against his former team in Penguins debut Are the Penguins going to re-sign Stuart Skinner in the summer? | ||
| Yes | 30 | 21.1 % |
| No | 112 | 78.9 % |
| List of polls | ||