Edmonton Oilers coach considering a goalie change for Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final
We might have another goaltending controversy brewing for the Edmonton Oilers.
After a great showing late in Round 2 versus the Vegas Golden Knights, along with an outstanding Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars, Stuart Skinner is once again struggling in the Oilers’ crease.
The 26-year-old has allowed 13 goals through three starts versus the Florida Panthers, including five on 23 shots last night before being pulled in the third period in favour of Calvin Pickard. While the 2-1 series deficit certainly doesn’t rest entirely on Skinner’s shoulders, head coach Kris Knoblauch didn’t rule out going with Pickard to begin Game 4, as per TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch says they will decide closer to Game 4 who starts in goal but also feels a lot of last night was a team-wide breakdown. So doesn’t put too much of the blame on Skinner.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 10, 2025
This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen Pickard in these playoffs, as the 33-year-old got the call in the Oilers’ first-round series versus the LA Kings with his team trailing 2-0. He was able to rattle off six-straight victories before suffering a lower-body injury against the Golden Knights, paving the way for Skinner to take the crease over once again.
Though Pickard was by no means perfect during his six-game stretch, as proven by his .888 save percentage, he was able to make big saves when his team needed them to lead them to victory, something Skinner has failed to do in both of the Oilers’ past two losses.
One thing to remember in all of this is that in last year’s Cup Final, the Oilers found themselves trailing the Panthers 3-0 before storming all the way back to force a Game 7. They stuck with Skinner the entire time, and the Edmonton native was able to able to get himself back on track to help his team nearly win it all.
That impressive resiliency a year ago may lead Knoblauch to go with Skinner again on Thursday night, though it appears that changing things up between the pipes is certainly a possibility.
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