Skinner injury forces Oilers to call up AHL goalie

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner is checked on by medical staff against the Dallas Stars during third period NHL action in Edmonton on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (JASON FRANSON/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

An injury to their starting goalie has forced the Edmonton Oilers to call up a replacement from the minor leagues.

Stuart Skinner collided with Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen in the third period of Wednesday’s 4-3 Oilers loss, leaving the ice on his own after laying on the ice after the hit.

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The Oilers, who play the host Seattle Kraken Thursday night (8 p.m.), announced in the morning they’ve recalled goalie Olivier Rodrigue from the American Hockey League’s Bakersfield Condors on an emergency basis and sent forward Derek Ryan down to the AHL affiliate.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said after Wednesday’s loss he did not expect Skinner to travel with the team to Seattle.

The Oilers (41 wins, 25 losses and 5 points from overtime losses for 87 points in 71 games played), who sit third in the National Hockey League’s Pacific Division heading into Thursday’s action, are two points behind the second-place Los Angeles Kings (40-21-9, 89 points in 70 games) and seven behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights (43-20-8, 94 points in 71 games).

They are already without stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who were injured in separate games last week and are not expected to return to the lineup until next week.

The Oilers host the Calgary Flames on Saturday (8 p.m.).