Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner won’t be getting on the team bus after their Monday night game against the Los Angeles Kings. Instead, he will head to the airport to catch a flight back to Edmonton for the birth of his and his wife’s first child.
Skinner was pulled during the second period of Monday night’s contest against the Kings after giving up three goals on 24 shots.
In Skinner’s absence, Jack Campbell will start the next two games of their California road trip against the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks. The Oilers will also activate Calvin Pickard to back up Campbell during Skinner’s time away from the team.
Skinner has started 25 games for Edmonton this season, and currently has a 2.88 goals-against average and a 12-10-2 record. He has been the more consistent netminder for the Oilers this season, as Campbell has a 9-7-1 record with a 3.69 goals-against average.
Sportsnet’s Mark Spector is also reporting that defenceman Vincent Desharnais will make his NHL debut on Wednesday against the Ducks.
Desharnais has played 13 games for AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, picking up two assists.
The Oilers are currently holding on to the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference with a record of 21-17-3.
