Oilers appear to make early move with goalies after Stuart Skinner struggles

Stuart Skinner struggled mightily in Game 1, posting an .864 save percentage and arguably costing his team the win. Still, it's just one bad game, and the heavy expectation would be that the Oilers would turn to Skinner again.

According to Oilers reporters at practice, Calvin Pickard was the first goalie off the ice which is usually a sign of starting the next game. After practice, Knoblauch wouldn't reveal his decision for start in net tomorrow.

The Oilers have proclaimed their belief in Skinner, and after one bad game it would make sense to get him back in there in search of a quick bounce-back effort.

If the Oilers instead turn to Pickard after just one bad game, it would be a sign their perspective on the goalie position has changed.

Starting Pickard after a poor effort from Skinner in Game 1 would send a message that Skinner doesn't have the starter's job this year - will be left up to performance, and Skinner failed the standard in Game 1.

The Oilers shouldn't be afraid to play Pickard either, who's surpassed expectation every time he's been in the Edmonton net. If he continues that success, he should keep playing.

It's shocking to see the Oilers already unsure of a goalie decision in a low-stakes Game 2 of the season, but it could send a message to Skinner that the previous effort simply isn't acceptable this season.