Oilers coach Knoblauch doesn't hold back when asked on Skinner's Game 1
Photo credit: Imagn Images
During the post-game interview following Edmonton's overtime loss to the Flames on Wednesday, Kris Knoblauch answered several telling questions about Stuart Skinner's performance.
When your starting goalie has been the focus of ongoing criticism ever since losing in the Stanley Cup Finals, you except the coach to use some diplomacy when commenting about his role in the loss, especially after giving up a 3-0 lead.
Coach speaks on giving-up 3-goal lead to rival Flames
Anytime you get scored against it's a gut punch.
It's us playing an almost perfect first half of the game, and then we get sloppy, and they score on that goal. That was a gut punch.
Uh, I don't know. We had the 3-2 lead, we should be fine, but, you know, it happens.
- Coach Knoblauch
It's us playing an almost perfect first half of the game, and then we get sloppy, and they score on that goal. That was a gut punch.
Uh, I don't know. We had the 3-2 lead, we should be fine, but, you know, it happens.
- Coach Knoblauch
Of course, it will require more than just one game to fully assess the team's goaltending; but when the position has been at the center of fans', analysts' and the teams' focus, any missteps will be talked about at length, as was the case on Calgary's tying goal.
This season, perhaps more so than any in recent history, is of considerable importance for Edmonton, and will be the catalyst to some big roster changes, should the team not meet its expectations.
It's a tall order, of course, having lost in consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, and now being expected to reach a third and win. But the expectation is not unrealistic, given how good this team is, and what it's capable of.
Now, having added an additional 20-plus goal scorer to the roster in Jack Roslovic, whose speed compliments an already fast lineup, only enhances the excitement around the Oilers, sending the message that the team is prepared to do whatever it takes to win a Cup.
This includes making certain the team's goaltending is help accountable.
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