The Penguins dropped their sixth consecutive game after losing to the Edmonton Oilers 6-4 in Pittsburgh in front of the home fans. But it was a different kind of matchup between the Penguins and Oilers as Stuart Skinner and Tristan Jarry faced each other for the first time since being traded for each other just last week.
Skinner did not have a great debut for the Penguins as he allowed 5 goals on 22 shots and took the loss against his former club. But just because he did not do well in his first game with the team, does not mean he needs to be sent to the shadow realm already.
He only just got to Pittsburgh a few short days ago and played in his first game for the club after not even logging a few practices with his new team. Penguins fans judging him off of one game is not necessary and they need to let him play a bit before making a judgment.
It was going to be an emotional game either way with both goaltenders playing against their former teams for the first time. There were going to be mistakes and there were going to be bad goals and there were going to be jitters. All of that was to be expected after that trade happened and this game was on the calendar soon after.
Jarry was not perfect for the Oilers either in his return to Pittsburgh as he allowed 4 goals on 30 shots, giving up a garbage time goal to Danton Heinen in the final 20 seconds. Both goaltenders were rusty and were not great for their teams.
But with Skinner now being the backstop along with Arturs Silovs, he needs to get more chances before he is given a grade. It remains to be seen if he will get the start against the Ottawa Senators, but if he is, he need not be judged just yet.