Oilers Coach Knoblauch addresses Stuart Skinner concerns after Game 2 loss
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch met with the media today, and would not commit to a starting goalie for Game 3 after pulling Stuart Skinner.
Skinner was pulled during a TV timeout after he began smiling, laughing, and responding to the crowd while the team was down 5-2.
Oilers coach Knoblauch defends Stuart Skinner after another weak game
Addressing the media today, Knoblauch defended Skinner's performance by saying the quality of chances he faced were difficult. The only problem is that this is the NHL.
We haven't made a decision as of now. It's unfortunate for Skinner, because I don't think any of those goals are - he's in a difficult situation. The amount of chances are low, but the quality of shots and chances were high. That's not easy for the goaltender.
- Coach Knoblauch
- Coach Knoblauch
Stuart Skinner simply has to make a save at some point on a quality chance. Other NHL goalies are quite capable of doing so.
On multiple goals, Skinner was visibly slow in his lateral movement - a critical skill that he ranked last in among NHL goalies last season. Not only that, but Skinner was getting beat from clean shots multiple times.
Right now, Skinner ranks last among all NHL goalies in the playoffs with negative 4.7 Goals Saved Above Expected. It's not a stretch to say that with average goaltending, this series could be tied.
All throughout this season and much of last year, Stuart Skinner has ranked near the bottom of NHL starting goalies in all statistics.
It was on Oilers management to improve their situation, because goaltending is the only position where a poor performance can cost a series.
Based off his immature reaction to the Kings fans' chants and his poor performance so far, Skinner doesn't look capable of being a starter in a cup contending team. He needs to find his game quickly, or the Oilers should play Pickard indefinitely.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 24 | 976 ANSWERS Oilers Coach Knoblauch addresses Stuart Skinner concerns after Game 2 loss Who should start Oilers Game 3? | ||
| Stuart Skinner | 77 | 7.9 % |
| Calvin Pickard | 899 | 92.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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