Skinner was injured when Mikko Rantanen collided with him during the Dallas game and has been sidelined since, with Olivier Rodrigue recalled from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors on an emergency basis in the interim. Rodrigue was returned to the Condors on Thursday, with Skinner set to back up Calvin Pickard against the Sharks.
Knoblauch said their plan is to have him start two of the team’s final three games.
“I’m very confident,” the coach said of Skinner’s ability to return to form after missing more than two weeks. “A lot of it is the technical side without playing the games. You’ve got to hone in on those skills, those technical aspects of it, because you’re spending more time at practices. Games are obviously a big part of getting prepared, and he’ll have a little test of that with two games, and hopefully he can pick up and play very well for us.”
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jake Walman were unavailable for Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues, and neither was present for Friday’s morning skate. Leon Draisaitl was on the ice and said he’s close to being fully healthy but isn’t quite ready to play vs. San Jose.
Evander Kane, who is not eligible to return until the Stanley Cup Playoffs, was also a morning skate participant, as was defenceman Cam Dineen who was recalled from the Condors on an emergency basis on Thursday when Rodrigue was returned.
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