Stuart Skinner making timely saves to help the Oilers claw back in the Stanley Cup Final

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Stuart Skinner sprawled to his right to glove a shot by Carter Verhaeghe on a 2-on-1 early in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final that maintained the Edmonton Oilers' lead. Less than a minute into Game 5, he lunged the same direction to deny Aaron Ekblad from scoring on yet another extremely high-quality scoring chance.

Then he did it again in Game 6 on Friday night to send the series to a deciding Game 7.

When the Oilers have needed him most, their mustached homegrown goaltender has been there for them. Since he and the team were pushed to the brink, falling behind 3-0 in the series against the Florida Panthers, Skinner has stopped 81 of 86 shots, making timely saves at critical times to keep the final going.

“He’s definitely stepped up,” alternate captain Leon Draisaitl said. “I think he’s been playing great for us, and we expect it coming down the stretch here. He’s one of those guys, one of those goalies who steps up in big moments.”

Skinner is 10-0 this playoffs in Games 4-7 of a series. The only other goalies to win 10 or more times in those situations in a single postseason are Jordan Binnington in 2019, Corey Crawford in 2013 and Martin Brodeur in 2012, and his 1.50 goals-against average in Games 4-7 is fourth best in NHL history.

Skinner's resurgence is just the latest example of the 25-year-old responding to adversity, including a turnover of his in Game 3 that contributed to a third consecutive loss. He is 9-5 with a 2.05 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage since returning to the net from being benched during the second round.

The Edmonton native who, until that point, had some of the worst playoff statistics at the position in the past two decades — a save percentage of .881 in his first 20 games — has gotten better as the stakes have gotten higher.

“It’s a byproduct of the experiences that I go through and what I do with them," Skinner said Thursday, roughly 18 hours before puck drop on Game 6 of the series in the city he grew up in. "It’s also a byproduct of how my team plays in front of me. These guys have been nothing but be supportive and playing good on both ends of the ice. ...

"It’s what you do when things kind of come your way, and whether it’s good or whether it’s bad, it’s all about how you respond. And I think for myself, it’s just trying to give this team a chance to win every night.”

Skinner has done so after a blip in Game 3 because his play, considered before the series one of the biggest unknowns, was not the reason Edmonton lost each of the first two of the final at Florida.

But, along with Connor McDavid producing at an MVP caliber level at the other end of the rink, Skinner has played an important role in the Oilers clawing back with a comeback not done in a Cup final since 1945.

“It starts with your best players: If your best players are going and playing well, everyone else follows," coach Kris Knoblauch said. “When you look across (the locker room) and you see Stuart Skinner playing as well as he is, Connor McDavid putting up back to back four-point games, that gives your team a lot of confidence.”

There's no lack of confidence in Skinner, who also does not seem fazed by the high-pressure situation. TV cameras caught him bopping his head to the music playing in the arena.

“Yeah, sometimes you'll see me nod to the music, for sure,” Skinner said. “When I hear a tune that’s easy to go along with, sometimes you’ll see me bobbing my head. It’s just enjoying where you are in the moment, having some fun with it."

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save as Florida Panthers' Anton Lundell (15) and Oilers' Philip Broberg (86) look for a rebound during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) and Mattias Ekholm (14) celebrate the team's win over the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save during practice in Edmonton on Thursday June 20, 2024. The Edmonton Oilers take on the Florida Panthers in game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup final on Friday.(Jason Franson /The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save on Zach Hyman (18) during practice in Edmonton on Thursday June 20, 2024. The Edmonton Oilers take on the Florida Panthers in game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup final on Friday. Jason Franson /The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) and Evander Kane (91) chat during practice in Edmonton on Thursday June 20, 2024. The Edmonton Oilers take on the Florida Panthers in game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup final on Friday. Jason Franson /The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) skates during practice in Edmonton on Thursday June 20, 2024. The Edmonton Oilers take on the Florida Panthers in game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup final on Friday.(Jason Franson /The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Mattias Janmark (13) and goalie Stuart Skinner (74) celebrate a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. The Oilers won 5-1 to tie the series. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) deflects a shot on goal during the third period of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers, Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) is stopped by Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) during the third period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. The Oilers won 5-1 to tie the series. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Florida Panthers' Eetu Luostarinen (27) looks on as Edmonton Oilers' Philip Broberg (86) and goalie Stuart Skinner (74) block the net during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Florida Panthers' Eetu Luostarinen (27) and Edmonton Oilers' Cody Ceci (5) look for the rebound on a save by goalie Stuart Skinner (74) during the third period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. The Oilers won 5-1 to tie the series. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Killer Mike is expected to avoid charges over a physical altercation that led to his arrest at the Grammys earlier this year after the rapper recently completed community service.

The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office said in a statement Thursday that Mike “successfully completed the office's hearing process, including a community service requirement that was imposed.” The rapper was escorted in handcuffs by police at Crypto.com Arena in February and detained on suspicion of a misdemeanor offense.

Court documents shows Mike, whose real name is Michael Render, was never charged over the incident. His representatives did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

In some instances, Los Angeles city prosecutors can opt to resolve an incident without filing misdemeanor charges if a person completes certain conditions.

Mike said an “over-zealous” security guard contributed to the altercation that occurred in the joyous moments after he won three awards at the Grammys' Premiere Ceremony. It was his first Grammy in more than two decades.

Mike’s first win came after he won for best rap performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” which also took home best rap song. The single features Andre 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane.

He also won best rap album for “Michael.”

When he collected his third award, the Atlanta-based rapper shouted out, “Sweep! Atlanta, it’s a sweep!”

Mike’s last Grammy came in 2003 when he won for “The Whole World” for best rap performance by a duo or group.

FILE - Killer Mike poses in the press room with the awards for best rap performance and best rap song for "Scientists & Engineers," and best rap album for "Michael" during the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. Killer Mike is expected to avoid charges over a physical altercation that led to his arrest at the Grammys earlier this year after the rapper recently completed community service. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)