Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch has confirmed that goaltender Stuart Skinner will be the starter for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, even after Skinner allowed five goals on only 23 shots in the decisive 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 3. While Skinner has faced difficulties throughout the series, the decision to continue with him is being viewed as the correct strategic approach at this juncture.
Skinner was removed from Game 3 with 16:33 remaining in the third period after conceding his fifth goal. One such goal involved Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad completing a well-executed power-play passing sequence from the backdoor.
Many of the goals scored during that significant defeat were not solely the fault of Skinner. Nevertheless, his statistics over the past four appearances present a less than ideal picture. According to Natural Stat Trick, he has recorded a .860 save percentage and allowed 2.86 goals above average.
These numbers reportedly caused Knoblauch some hesitation when questioned about his Game 4 starter on Wednesday. Ultimately, however, Knoblauch decided to stick with Skinner instead of backup Calvin Pickard. Although the temptation might have been strong to opt for a change given the 2-1 series deficit, Skinner has seemingly earned at least one more chance to perform.
Primarily, Skinner`s overall performance in these playoffs has been superior to Pickard`s, despite encountering some significant low points.
Key statistics comparing the two goaltenders in the playoffs:
| Statistic | Stuart Skinner | Calvin Pickard |
|---|---|---|
| Save Percentage | .894 | .888 |
| Goals Against Average (GAA) | 2.84 | 2.87 |
| Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA) | -1.17 | -1.69 |
Neither goaltender`s playoff profile is comparable to legendary figures like Patrick Roy or Dominik Hasek, but Skinner does hold a slight statistical advantage. Considering his very challenging start to the postseason, it`s notable that he has managed to improve his performance closer to league average.
After Calvin Pickard sustained an injury, forcing Skinner back into the primary role, Skinner capitalized on the opportunity. Across a seven-game stretch from Game 4 of the second round through the conclusion of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars, Skinner was outstanding.
During this period, his save percentage was an impressive .944, and he saved 6.69 goals above average, accumulating a 6-1 record. Skinner played a crucial role in the Oilers` relatively quick progress past formidable Western Conference opponents like the Golden Knights and Stars.
Furthermore, relying on Pickard in this critical situation is far from a guaranteed success. There are reasons why Pickard, at 33 years old, has moved between teams throughout his career, having appeared in only 175 regular-season games and eight playoff games. Consistency has been an issue for him, making a gamble on him in what feels like a must-win game potentially riskier than staying with Skinner.
If Skinner falters early in Game 4, Coach Knoblauch retains the option of a quick goaltender change, bringing in Pickard. However, if the roles were reversed and Pickard started, would Knoblauch have the same flexibility? Skinner would already be aware of a perceived loss of confidence from the coach before even entering the game, then facing the pressure of backstopping a comeback with minimal room for error.
Therefore, proceeding with Skinner in Game 4 represents the most favorable choice available to Knoblauch. The comprehensive breakdown in Game 3 was a team-wide failure, and Pickard has not been completely impenetrable either. Allowing Skinner the chance to bounce back seems justified, especially considering he has successfully rebounded from poor performance earlier in this postseason.
