Former NHL general manager Doug MacLean has openly criticized Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner for failing to provide adequate support to star player Connor McDavid during the Stanley Cup Final series. MacLean made these remarks during a recent discussion on Sportsnet 590 the Fan, emphasizing the importance of strong team backing in high-stakes playoff games.
MacLean Highlights the Need for a Strong Supporting Team in Playoffs
MacLean stressed that even elite players like McDavid require solid performances from their teammates to overcome playoff challenges. According to MacLean, success cannot rely solely on a single star player in such critical moments.
“It’s hard on star players at playoff time to get over the hump. It really is. And you need a supporting cast. And that’s the message he was sending, whether he said it or not. And I’ll tell you what—if Skinner, Kapanen, and Arvidsson are your supporting cast, you ain’t winning the Cup.”
—Doug MacLean, Former NHL GM
He drew on his own coaching experience to explain how star players can be effectively neutralized if their teammates fail to contribute meaningfully. MacLean noted that opponents like the Florida Panthers have the capability to shut down a superstar if the supporting cast is insufficient.
“I am not saying that McDavid is my favorite player in the NHL. I absolutely love watching him play. But you need a supporting cast, because the Florida Panthers can shut you down. They can shut you down,”
—Doug MacLean, Former NHL GM
“And you know what? It’s easier when you’re defending a star player. It really is easier. I remember coaching against Jagr and Lemieux and Lindros and those guys, and Brian Skrudland was shutting them down—combined with a couple of defensemen who were very good shutdown guys.”
—Doug MacLean, Former NHL GM
Reviewing Stuart Skinner’s Performance in the Stanley Cup Finals
Throughout the Stanley Cup Finals, Skinner started five games, compiling a record of 1-4 with a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.00 and a save percentage of .889. Across the 2024 playoffs, he posted a 7-7-0 record, a 2.99 GAA, a .891 save percentage, and achieved three shutouts, reflecting a somewhat mixed performance overall.
Skinner Reflects on His Role in Game 6 Loss
The Edmonton Oilers suffered a decisive 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Florida Panthers in Game 6, ending their pursuit of the Stanley Cup for a second consecutive season. Skinner started that game over Calvin Pickard but was removed after conceding three goals in the second period.
Following the loss, Skinner shared his thoughts on his individual performance, describing the unique challenges faced by a goalie in a team sport.
“In my opinion, I think I showed up the same way. I thought results changed, as they always do. But for myself personally, I stayed pretty consistent. I was in my bubble, I was doing my own thing. It’s weird being a goalie sometimes in a team sport, because sometimes you feel like you’re an individual in a team game,”
—Stuart Skinner, Edmonton Oilers Goalie
During the same game, Skinner made a critical error that shifted momentum towards Florida. A shot from Carter Verhaeghe deflected off Skinner’s glove and landed directly to Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, who scored to extend their lead to 3-0.
Implications of Skinner’s Playoff Support for the Team
MacLean’s comments underline a broader NHL reality that even exceptional talents like McDavid need dependable goaltending and consistent support from their teammates to claim championships. Skinner’s mixed results, highlighted by key mistakes in crucial moments, point to the difficulties Edmonton faced in backing their superstar during the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.
The call for a stronger supporting cast behind McDavid and more reliable goaltending like Skinner’s remains a central concern for the Oilers as they prepare for future seasons, aiming to overcome the hurdles that stopped them short of the title once again.