The Edmonton Oilers are facing a tough decision in net as they try to keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch isn’t showing his cards about who’ll start Game 6, with both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard in the mix.
“That’s a conversation with the staff,” Knoblauch said. “Obviously, our goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz, but with all the assistants and the general manager to weigh how everyone feels and what’s best moving forward.”
It’s been a rocky road in goal for the Oilers this series.
Skinner started the first four games but got pulled twice. That led to Pickard getting the nod in Game 5, hoping to build on his amazing performance in Game 4 where he stopped 22 of 23 shots in a clutch overtime win.
But things didn’t go as planned. Pickard struggled in Game 5, letting in four goals on just 18 shots.
Neither goalie has really found their groove in the playoffs. Skinner’s save percentage sits at .891, while Pickard’s isn’t much better at .886.
There might be a hint about who’s getting the start, though. At Monday’s practice, Skinner was working in what’s typically been the starter’s net when the team practices in Florida, according to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug.
The Oilers might also be getting some reinforcements. Forward Kasperi Kapanen and defenseman John Klingberg were both taking regular shifts in practice. Kapanen had been replaced by Viktor Arvidsson in Game 5.
With their season on the line, the Oilers need someone to step up between the pipes. Knoblauch says they’ll go with whoever gives them the best shot at forcing a Game 7.
