Former NHL goalie gets 100% real about Oilers' goaltending dilemma ahead of Game 6 Stanley Cup Final

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars - Source: Imagn
Former NHL goalie gets 100% real about Oilers' goaltending dilemma ahead of Game 6 Stanley Cup Final - Source: Imagn

Former NHL goaltender Martin Biron shared his thoughts on the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation ahead of the crucial Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers.

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The Oilers remain undecided on who should start in the net between Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard in Game 6, as both goalies have struggled to provide top performance lately.

On TSN's Sportscenter, Biron advocated for Skinner to start. He stated that Skinner has been the Oilers' first-choice netminder throughout the season and, in his opinion, is the better of the two, despite Pickard's impressive 7-1 record in the playoffs.

"Now I’m going back to Stuart Skinner for Game 6," Biron said. "I think he’s been their No. 1 goaltender all season long. He is the better of the two goaltenders, in my opinion, despite the fact that Calvin Pickard’s 7-1 in the playoffs. I think you gotta say, 'Listen, Stuart — Stuart, you’re the guy. You have to win us a couple of games. We want to win the cup.'
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"Obviously, the Oilers have got to play better in front of him, but he’s got to get his role. He’s got to get the big wall in front of the net. So I would go with Stuart Skinner. I would boost his confidence, make him feel like this is his net. He’s going to go out and win a couple of games. Obviously, it’s a tough situation."
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Pickard made his first start of the finals in Game 5. However, it was a challenging outing for him, as he allowed four goals on 18 shots, resulting in his first postseason loss.

Meanwhile, Skinner has also struggled in the series. In Game 3, Skinner was pulled after conceding five goals on 23 shots, and he was pulled again in Game 4 after allowing three goals on 17 shots in the first period.

Overall, in the playoffs, Pickard has a 2.85 goals against average (GAA) and a .886 save percentage across 10 games, with a record of 7-1. On the other hand, Skinner has posted a record of 7-6 with a 2.99 GAA, a .891 save percentage, and three shutouts in 14 starts.

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Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch shares his thoughts about goalie choice for Game 6

Following the 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 on Saturday, Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch shared his thoughts on the goaltending choice for the upcoming Game 6.

Speaking after the game, he said:

"I'm not going to make that decision right now after a tough loss like tonight."

The Edmonton Oilers trail the Panthers 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 6 of the series returns to Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday, with the puck drop scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

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Edited by Abhishek Dilta
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