Stuart Skinner has given the Winnipeg Jets steady goaltending through his first two games with the club, posting a .908 save percentage.
The Mug NHL also had him at a 2.92 goals-against average and 2.0 goals saved above expected.
He's 1-0-1, with an overtime loss to Boston in the home opener and Sunday's 3-2 win in Detroit.
That's exactly what Winnipeg needed. Nobody's asking him to steal games, just to stop the ones he should, and he's done that.
It's the substitute teacher who shows up, learns everyone's name and keeps the class on schedule. Nobody writes home about it, but everybody notices.
Why does it matter so much? Nick Kypreos reported this week that the Jets want Sam Montembeault so they wouldn't need a goalie back in a Connor Hellebuyck deal.
Hellebuyck carries an $8,500,000 cap hit, while Skinner is at $3,750,000.
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Stuart Skinner's promising Jets start could leave Edmonton Oilers with regrets
Kyle Connor has five points through two games, and all three of his goals came on the power play.
He's still a -2, so the even-strength game is a work in progress.
Cole Perfetti has four points, with three power-play assists among them, while Josh Morrissey and Adam Lowry have two apiece.
Rookie Tyrel Bauer set the tone Sunday, dropping the gloves with Keegan Kolesar in a sequence that led to two power plays and two goals, per Mike McIntyre.
Bauer also became the first winner of the Jets' new Player of the Game prize, a length of safety rope.
Scott Arniel's group heads to Pittsburgh on Monday for the back half of a back-to-back, then hosts Colorado on Wednesday.
That back-to-back will test the depth behind Skinner, with Clay Stevenson as the other goalie on the roster.
The Penguins are 2-0-0 after a 6-5 overtime win over Montreal, so the Jets won't get an easy night.
Skinner has done his part early. If Winnipeg moves Hellebuyck, the job might be his to keep, and two games is a good start on the audition.
Can Stuart Skinner be the Jets' starter if they trade Connor Hellebuyck?
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