Oilers pull Stuart Skinner after disastrous first period vs. Stars

After a commendable performance on Saturday against their two-time Stanley Cup foe, Stuart Skinner‘s follow-up performance ended early.

The Edmonton Oilers pulled their starter against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday in favour of Calvin Pickard after Skinner allowed four goals on eight shots in the first period.

Skinner gave up the first goal to Jamie Benn just under four minutes into the game and was then subject to a barrage of Stars chances — including markers from Roope Hintz and Nathan Bastain — all culminating in a Sam Steel rebound goal after Skinner made the initial save on Benn.

Skinner finished the remainder of the period, but the Oilers tabbed Pickard to man the pipes after the opening frame.

The 27-year-old Edmonton native finished the game with an abysmal .500 save percentage — bound to do no favours for his .885 save percentage on the season.

Pickard, meanwhile, hasn’t fared much better in the crease this season, sitting second-last in save percentage at .851 in eight appearances so far.

Per Jack Michaels, Tuesday marks the first time the Oilers were down by four goals after the first period since January 2013.