Top NHL analysts make shocking change on Oilers playoff goaltending after Game 1 win
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Edmonton Oilers are the only remaining playoff team without a star goaltender, but now NHL analysts believe they're one of the few teams in history that could win without one.
Calvin Pickard backstopped the Oilers to their 5th straight playoff win after the career backup took the reins from a struggling Stuart Skinner. Pickard's played well enough, but the Oilers look like they could win with anyone in net.
Top NHL analysts change their tune on Oilers goaltending in playoffs
Goaltending was a major concern for the Oilers entering the playoffs, which made them underdogs to start against the Los Angeles Kings. After 5 straight comeback wins though, NHL analyst Mark Lazerus believes the Oilers can win it all with Pickard.
Neither Pickard nor Skinner is likely to suddenly transform into Brodeur over the next two, four, six weeks. You can count on one hand the number of middling goaltenders - Antti Niemi, anyone? - who've won the Stanley Cup in the modern era.
But they do exist. It can happen. It just takes a heck of a team in front of them, and that's something the Oilers seem to have.
But they do exist. It can happen. It just takes a heck of a team in front of them, and that's something the Oilers seem to have.
Simply put, the Oilers look like one of the rare NHL teams that could win a Cup without a regular starting goalie.
After going down two goals and looking a bit shaky to start the game, Pickard once again was perfect through the second and third period. As long as that continues, he'll be giving the Oilers a real chance to win every game.
Although the career journeyman Pickard has become a major story of the Oilers playoffs, he's not the reason they're winning. A complete team effort and quality players throughout the lineup are elevating their game and executing every play.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both put up two points, but the contributions from secondary players was incredible on and off the puck.
Evan Bouchard played one of his best games as an Oiler, Connor Brown continued his clutch performances. Corey Perry, Evander Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and the unlikely John Klingberg. All these and more were instrumental in the victory.
Not only did the Oilers take it to Vegas offensively, they were elite defensively.
Holding Vegas to only 7 shots in the second and third and completely dominating with the puck is a recipe for success with any goalie in net. It could be the beginning of a historic run.
Calvin Pickard should once again get the start in Game 3, but the other 18 Edmonton Oilers on the ice will be the ones Vegas is worrying about now.
| POLL | ||
MAI 7 | 735 ANSWERS Top NHL analysts make shocking change on Oilers playoff goaltending after Game 1 win Do you think the Oilers can win the cup with Skinner or Pickard? | ||
| Yes | 666 | 90.6 % |
| No | 69 | 9.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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