Edmonton Oilers faced a brutal 6-2 defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, January 22, 2026, raising questions about the team's readiness and sparking a debate about former Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner "avoiding" the team. Skinner, now with the Penguins, didn't play in the game, serving as the backup after a 4-1 victory against the Calgary Flames the previous Wednesday.

The Oilers' disastrous start saw them concede three goals in just 37 seconds, marking the fastest three goals the franchise has ever allowed. Anthony Mantha scored the first two goals at 2:20 and 2:31, followed by Sidney Crosby at 2:47. This early onslaught put the Oilers in a deep hole they couldn't climb out of, leading to a second consecutive home loss.

Head Coach Kris Knoblauch didn't mince words when assessing his team's performance. "We weren't ready," he stated, highlighting the team's poor puck play and the excessive chances given to the Penguins. He drew comparisons to the team's struggles earlier in the season, a period that coincided with Skinner's departure.

Skinner's presence loomed large despite not being on the ice. Traded to the Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry and Sam Poulin on December 12, 2025, Skinner's departure was intended to provide a fresh start for both the player and the team. While it was anticipated to be Jarry versus Skinner, it was the former who started in the game.

Since joining the Penguins, Skinner has seemingly found a new level of performance. In 10 starts, he boasts a 6-4 record with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage, significantly better than his numbers in Edmonton. Over his last seven games, he's 6-1 with a .933 save percentage and a 1.58 goals-against average. This resurgence has solidified the Penguins' playoff position, tying them for second in the Metropolitan Division with a 24-14-11 record.

Oilers fans, known for their passionate support and sometimes harsh criticism of their goalies, gave Skinner and Brett Kulak a standing ovation during a scoreboard tribute. This gesture seemed to acknowledge the challenges of playing goal in Edmonton and perhaps regret over the trade.

Connor McDavid took responsibility for the team's lack of urgency, admitting his own performance hadn't been up to par. "Well, it starts with me," McDavid said, adding that the team's puck play in practice had also been poor.

The Oilers' defeat underscores the team's ongoing struggles with consistency and defensive lapses. The shadow of Stuart Skinner, now thriving in Pittsburgh, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, prompting questions about whether a change of scenery was indeed what he needed to unlock his full potential. While Skinner may not have actively "avoided" the Oilers, the circumstances of the game and his strong performance with his new team have created a narrative that is hard to ignore.