Stuart Skinner bounced back with a commanding performance, stopping 20 of 22 shots as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 5-2 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final on May 29, 2024. This critical victory evened the series at 2-2, transforming what could have been a dire 3-1 deficit into a best-of-three showdown. Skinner’s .909 save percentage marked a significant improvement from his Game 3 struggles and provided the foundation his team needed to regain momentum in this tightly contested series.
Stuart Skinner’s final stats
Skinner’s performance can be quantified through several key metrics that demonstrate his effectiveness in net during Game 4:
- Saves: 20
- Shots faced: 22
- Save percentage: .909
- Goals against: 2
This statistical line represents a marked improvement from his Game 3 performance where he surrendered 4 goals on 24 shots for a .833 save percentage. The increased efficiency between the pipes provided Edmonton with the stability needed to overcome an early deficit.
Game 4 summary
Final score: Oilers 5, Stars 2
After falling behind 2-0 in the opening minutes, the Oilers scored five unanswered goals to secure the victory. This impressive comeback demonstrated the team’s resilience and ability to execute under pressure in a must-win situation.
Oilers scorers: Evan Bouchard, Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Ekholm (empty net), Mattias Janmark, Ryan McLeod
The Oilers received balanced scoring contributions throughout their lineup, with five different players finding the back of the net. This offensive depth proved crucial as Edmonton completely turned the tide after the difficult start. Connor McDavid continued his playmaking brilliance with three assists, furthering his case as the most dominant playoff performer of this Oilers’ overtime win in the Western Conference Finals.
Key saves and challenging sequences
Skinner’s most crucial moment came early in the third period against Evgenii Dadonov. With the Oilers protecting their lead, Dadonov received a cross-ice pass in the high slot and quickly fired a wrist shot toward the glove side. Skinner displayed exceptional reaction time and precise glove positioning to make a clean, confident save that preserved Edmonton’s advantage.
This timely stop prevented Dallas from narrowing the deficit and potentially regaining momentum at a critical juncture in the game. Throughout the contest, Skinner appeared composed and technically sound, a stark contrast to his previous appearance.
Comparison to previous games
The improvement in Skinner’s play from Game 3 to Game 4 represents one of the more remarkable turnarounds in this year’s playoffs. After allowing 4 goals on 24 shots (.833) in Game 3, he rebounded with a .909 save percentage performance that gave his team confidence.
This resilience has become something of a pattern for Skinner in the 2024 playoffs, where he’s shown an ability to bounce back from difficult outings. His overall playoff numbers now stand at a 14-9 record with a 2.45 GAA and .901 save percentage, solid statistics that have been instrumental in Edmonton’s deep playoff run following their Dallas Stars win Game 1 against the Oilers.
Tactical adjustments and defensive strategies
Defensive zone coverage
The Oilers implemented a more compact defensive structure in Game 4, prioritizing net-front protection and limiting high-danger chances. This approach forced Dallas to settle for lower-percentage shots from the perimeter, making Skinner’s job more manageable and allowing him to track pucks more effectively.
Forechecking strategy
Edmonton’s aggressive forecheck disrupted Dallas’s breakout attempts throughout the game, creating turnovers and sustained offensive zone time. This pressure prevented the Stars from establishing their transition game and kept play away from Skinner for extended stretches.
Neutral zone play
The Oilers maintained tighter gaps between their forwards and defensemen in the neutral zone, effectively clogging passing lanes and limiting Dallas’s speed through the middle of the ice. This strategic adjustment prevented the Stars from generating momentum through controlled zone entries.
Penalty kill
Perhaps most impressively, Edmonton’s penalty kill continued its remarkable run of success, neutralizing both Dallas power-play opportunities. The Oilers have now killed 23 consecutive penalties over their past eight games, an extraordinary achievement at this stage of the playoffs.
Reactions from Skinner, teammates, and coaching staff
Stuart Skinner
“We’ve shown it for many years now, just perseverance from our team, maturity, just the way that we do respond,” Skinner reflected post-game. “It’s a roller coaster. There’s a lot of highs, lots of lows.”
Coach Kris Knoblauch
Edmonton’s head coach highlighted his team’s commitment to the defensive details that supported Skinner’s bounce-back performance: “One thing I did notice was the amount of battles we won and the amount of blocked shots. That’s just determination and knowing how important the game was tonight that we almost had to walk away with a victory.”
Connor McDavid
The Oilers’ captain emphasized the team-wide defensive effort: “Forwards are coming back really hard, everyone is selling out blocking shots. It’s that time of year, that’s what it takes. It’s fun to watch.”
Dallas Stars’ reactions
Coach Pete DeBoer
The Stars’ coach acknowledged his team’s inability to sustain their early momentum: “We got up 2-0, got the start we wanted, but I don’t think we had enough guys playing at a high enough level. The rest of the game they were the better team. That’s the bottom line.”
Jamie Benn
Dallas’s captain maintained a positive outlook despite the defeat: “We’ll reset here, going to learn from it, and we’ve got a great opportunity in front of us. Best-of-3 on home ice here, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Impact on momentum and series outlook
By evening the series at 2-2, the Oilers have completely reset the dynamics of this Western Conference Final. What could have been a 3-1 deficit requiring three consecutive victories has instead become a best-of-three series with renewed momentum.
Skinner’s improved play represents a significant factor in Edmonton’s chances moving forward. If he can maintain this level of performance, the Oilers have every reason to believe they can advance to their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final, continuing the trend of 2025 NHL Conference Finals featuring familiar teams.
Notable historical comparisons
Skinner’s performance bears striking similarities to Mike Richter’s Game 4 showing for the New York Rangers in the 1994 Eastern Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils. On May 25, 1994, Richter stopped 28 of 29 shots in a 3-1 victory that stabilized the Rangers after a Game 3 loss.
Like Skinner, Richter made a momentum-changing save – in his case, a breakaway stop on Stephane Richer in the second period that preserved the Rangers’ lead. Richter’s performance proved to be a turning point, with the Rangers winning the series en route to ending their 54-year Stanley Cup drought.
Advanced stats
Edmonton’s advanced metrics support the visual evidence of their dominant play after the early deficit:
- Oilers goals/game: 3.9
- Oilers assists/game: 6.6
- Oilers penalties/game: 3.3
- Oilers penalty minutes/game: 7.1
- Oilers goals against/game: 2.7
- Oilers penalty kill percentage: 100%
These statistics highlight Edmonton’s offensive capabilities and enhanced defensive execution, providing Skinner with the support system needed for success.
Dallas Stars’ offensive struggles
Oilers’ defensive pressure
Edmonton’s intensified defensive zone coverage and aggressive forechecking severely limited the Stars’ time and space, forcing rushed decisions and turnovers throughout the game. This comprehensive team defense made Skinner’s job significantly easier compared to Game 3.
Oettinger’s performance
While Jake Oettinger has been a reliable presence for Dallas throughout these playoffs, he couldn’t deliver the crucial saves needed to maintain the Stars’ early advantage or halt Edmonton’s momentum.
Key injuries
The absence of Roope Hintz, sidelined since Game 2 with a lower leg injury, has significantly impacted Dallas’s offensive depth and chemistry. Without Hintz, the Stars’ forward lines lack their usual balance and scoring punch.
Roope Hintz injury information
Hintz sustained his lower leg injury in Game 2 after receiving a slash from Darnell Nurse. His continued absence represents a major blow to Dallas’s offensive capabilities and has forced significant lineup adjustments. Coach DeBoer expressed frustration with the minor penalty assessed on the play.
Chris Tanev injury information
Adding to Dallas’s personnel challenges, defenseman Chris Tanev exited Game 4 with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot. His potential absence would further deplete the Stars’ defensive corps heading into the crucial Game 5.
Shot chart analysis (inferred)
While detailed shot location data isn’t available, game reports suggest Edmonton effectively limited Dallas to low-danger scoring opportunities after the initial flurry. The Oilers’ commitment to protecting the slot and disrupting cross-ice passing lanes forced the Stars to attempt shots from suboptimal angles.
This strategic defensive approach, combined with Skinner’s improved positional play, created the foundation for Edmonton’s comeback victory and has potentially changed the trajectory of this Western Conference Final series.
