Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch mum on Game 6 starting goalie

Facing elimination, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch still isn’t sure who his starting goalie will be for Game 6, or, at least, he isn’t making his intentions known.

Knoblauch didn’t commit to either Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard, stating the team will go with whichever goalie gives them the best chance to win. 

When asked how he’ll make the decision, Knoblauch said, “That’s a conversation with the staff. Obviously, our goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz, but with all the assistants and the general manager to weigh how everyone feels and what’s best moving forward.”

Knoblauch acknowledged that the decision is “not an easy one,” pointing out that both goalies have proven they can win games. He added that whichever goalie is chosen, the team believes they’ll be the one to help secure a win on the road in Game 6.

Skinner started the first four games of the Finals but was pulled in two of them, prompting Knoblauch to start Pickard in Game 5. The decision was made in hopes that Pickard could replicate his heroics from Game 4, where he stopped 22 of 23 shots in the overtime win. However, he struggled in Game 5, allowing four goals on 18 shots for a .778 save percentage. 

Despite the Oilers making it to Game 6 of the Cup Final, both goalies have put up less-than-stellar statistics throughout the playoffs, with Skinner posting an .891 save percentage and Pickard owning an .886 mark.

While Knoblauch was non-committal on who he’ll start, the team may have tipped their hand during practice Monday. As TSN’s Ryan Rishaug points out, Skinner was in what was the starter’s net the last time they practiced in Florida. 

Rishaug added that forward Kasperi Kapanen and defenseman John Klingberg took part in line drills, signaling their potential return. Kapanen was replaced in the lineup by Viktor Arvidsson in Game 5.