Oilers coach and Ekholm raise eyebrows with comments on Stuart Skinner before Game 4
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The Edmonton Oilers have run two goalies almost evenly through the playoffs, and there's a chance Calvin Pickard takes the net from Stuart Skinner again in Game 4.
Skinner has struggled through most of this season, which lead to him losing the net after Game 2 vs Los Angeles. He's regained the net and played well since, but he may still be on a short leash.
Oilers coach refuses to name starting goalie, Mattias Ekholm calls out Stuart Skinner
Speaking to the media today, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch refused to name his starting goalie for Game 4.
REPORTER: Will [Stuart Skinner] start Game 4?
KNOBLAUCH: We haven't decided, we'll announce that before the game. I think in a lot of games where Stu wasn't on his A game, our team wasn't on their A game in front of him. I didn't think there was any bad goals, maybe an extra save. But, it doesn't matter how well Stu played last night, it wouldn't have made any difference in the game.
KNOBLAUCH: We haven't decided, we'll announce that before the game. I think in a lot of games where Stu wasn't on his A game, our team wasn't on their A game in front of him. I didn't think there was any bad goals, maybe an extra save. But, it doesn't matter how well Stu played last night, it wouldn't have made any difference in the game.
Skinner may have been able to find a save on the first goal, or any other of the last 4, but Knoblauch is right to say that he wasn't the reason for the loss.
The Oilers stunk all around and were going to lose anyway, but his save percentages are dipping down again, to .783 and .881 in the last 2 games. According to other metrics, Skinner had a brutal Game 3.
Stuart Skinner needs to be better in Game 4, or Pickard could play
After seeing that the Oilers have a reliable second option in Calvin Pickard, making the switch should be easier for Knoblauch.
Stuart Skinner is clearly the team's chosen starter, so he should get the start in Game 4. However, if the Oilers go down early on even one bad goal, Knoblauch making a quick pull could be possible.
Legendary goalie Henrik Lundqvist did recommend that Pickard should be an option for Game 4, on the account that he's undefeated in the playoffs and has better stats.
One other player who did admit that Skinner wasn't up to standard last night was Mattias Ekholm. He has full confidence in Skinner to bounce back, but admitted last night should've been better.
He's been playing unbelievable in the last 3 to 5 weeks. I don't know how long it's been now, but it feels like a long time and he hasn't had a bad game. Maybe last night was one of those. Get it out the system, hopefully, a night off.
There's been lots made of how Stuart Skinner improves in a playoff series in the later games. Now more than ever, the Oilers need «Game 4 Stuart Skinner» to actually show up in Game 4.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 10 | 795 ANSWERS Oilers coach and Ekholm raise eyebrows with comments on Stuart Skinner before Game 4 Should Stuart Skinner start Game 4? | ||
| Yes, he's their guy | 400 | 50.3 % |
| No, Pickard proved himself | 395 | 49.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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