Bold new plan with Oilers goalies may hint at change in playoffs

Earlier this week, reports suggested that Olivier Rodrigue would be in line to make his first NHL start. It's a tough choice to leave the kid on the bench, but it may be surprisingly important for the Oilers.

According to Gene Principe at practice today, the Oilers aren't expecting Olivier Rodrigue to get any starts on their four game road trip.

It's very rare for a goaltender to start 6 games in a row, especially a 32 year old career backup goalie.

Coach Knoblauch could be turning to Pickard so much because he trusts the veteran goalie to give the team the best chance to win in these important games down the stretch - or he could be ramping Pickard up to be ready to play more in the playoffs.

Calvin Pickard has already played in 8 more games this season than last year, showing that he's earned more trust from the Oilers staff as a reliable backup. However, Pickard right now has a higher save percentage than Stuart Skinner.

At the same time, fans are raising valid concerns that once again, the Oilers aren't giving a young player a chance to prove themselves.

If Knoblauch believes in Pickard to give the Oilers a chance to win every game, he's fully ramped up, and performing better than Stuart Skinner - than Pickard seems in a great place to take some playoff starts. Stuart Skinner is coming back from injury too, which could be a further complicating factor to his play.

Last season when Skinner faltered in the playoffs, Pickard was given a few starts and performed well with the opportunity.

The veteran backup is playing well now, and with significant doubts with Stuart Skinner, it seems a larger role for Pickard is primed and ready to go.