Oilers face goalie crunch after Skinner placed in COVID-19 protocol


The Edmonton Oilers are facing a crunch in the crease after goaltender Stuart Skinner was placed in the National Hockey League’s COVID-19 protocol on Monday morning.
Skinner, 23, was recalled last week with starter Mike Smith still nursing a thumb injury.
He started the team’s game on Saturday night, a 6-4 defeat to the Ottawa Senators where the Oilers allowed five goals in the third period.
With Skinner out and Smith questionable to play, veteran Mikko Koskinen is likely to start against the Panthers on Thursday, but hasn’t won any of his last six starts dating back to Dec. 1.
Head coach Dave Tippett says he learned on Sunday night that Skinner would have to enter the protocol.
“It is what it is,” he said. “That’s the world we live in.”
Ilya Konovalov, a 2019 third-round pick who has yet to make his NHL debut, is the team’s only other healthy goaltender.
The team has now lost 12 of its last 14 games and has fallen out of a playoff spot.
The Oilers don’t return to the ice until Thursday night when they host the Florida Panthers, the NHL’s highest-scoring team and in the midst of a four-game win streak.
-
Oil Kings advance to 2022 WHL Championship Series
The Edmonton Oil Kings are heading to the WHL Championship Series after winning the Eastern Conference series against the Winnipeg Ice. -
Sudbury’s Bell Excellence Award winners survived during difficult times
Thursday evening, the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce hosted the 25th annual Bell Business Excellence Awards. -
Walking in Sudbury to mark the discovery of unmarked graves in B.C.
On Friday, there was a walk in Sudbury to remember the remains of 215 residential schoolchildren found in Kamloops, B.C., a year ago May 27. -
After years waiting for surgery, B.C. woman considering medically assisted death
A B.C. mom with a rare, debilitating illness has spent years trying to get the help she needs. Now she's considering medical assistance in dying. -
Sault Métis Centre excited for grand opening
Staff at the new Sault Metis Centre are getting set for the grand opening Saturday. -
Interior, Island and North led B.C.'s decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations this week
The number of COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals hit its lowest point in more than a month this week, and the decline was driven largely by regions outside the Lower Mainland. -
Friendly Battle of Alberta playoff wager for CTV News Edmonton and Calgary anchors
With the Edmonton Oilers eliminating the Calgary Flames in the Battle of Alberta, CTV News Edmonton and Calgary 6 p.m. anchors stayed true to their friendly bet. -
New mandate requires sensitive training for Manitoba school staff
Manitoba’s Ministry of Education and Early Childhood Learning has issued directions to school districts throughout the province that their staff will now be required to complete a specialized training course. -
Small Vancouver startup believes it's created the solution to plastic pollution
Researchers working in partnership with UBC believe an eco-friendly material could help solve the world’s plastic pollution problem.