Jeff Skinner waited 15 years to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After playing the series opener against the LA Kings, he was a healthy scratch for the Edmonton Oilers through nearly three rounds. Injuries to Connor Brown and Zach Hyman provided the former Buffalo Sabre another opportunity, and he scored his first career playoff goal in the first period of Edmonton’s series-clinching 6-3 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
The 33-year-old was bought out by the Sabres last June after a disappointing 24-goal campaign and was signed to a one-year, $3 million contract by the Oilers. Skinner slipped to 16 goals in Edmonton, playing mostly a depth role, and came out of the playoff lineup with the return of Trent Frederic and Evander Kane from the injured list.
Other Sabres Stories
Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday?
Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram
Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change
Skinner beat Dallas goalie Casey DeSmith eight minutes into the first period, after he replaced Stars starter Jake Oettinger, who allowed goals on the first two Edmonton shots. Former Sabre Evander Kane also scored on DeSmith just after Dallas cut the Oilers lead to 4-3 early in the third period, which seemed to kill any chance of a Dallas comeback in the elimination game.
The rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between Edmonton and Florida begins on Wednesday and will feature five former Sabres: Skinner and Kane with the Oilers, and Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues, and Dmitri Kulikov with the Panthers.
JEFF SKINNER FIRST CAREER PLAYOFF GOAL 🥹 #LetsGoOilerspic.twitter.com/LTFE6vGI5N
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 30, 2025
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo