Edmonton Oilers goaltenders Calvin Pickard, Stuart Skinner © James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Pickard or Skinner? Oilers have big decision to make in must-win Game 6

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Scott Maxwell | Last updated 5/17/24

The Edmonton Oilers goaltending has been a bit inconsistent so far in their second round series against the Vancouver Canucks. Stuart Skinner had a rough three games to start the series, and while Calvin Pickard has been solid in Games 4 and 5, he lacks the high upside that Skinner can have that might be needed with the Oilers’ backs against the walls down 3-2 going into Game 6.

Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discussed about which goalie should get the start for Game 6 on Daily Faceoff Live.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Pickard was great last night. I think coming into the game, it would have been easy to tell Oilers fans or Kris Knoblauch that if you lose this game, it’s probably Skinner’s net again in Game 6. But you talked about the Canucks play last night, that could have been 6-2 if it wasn’t for Pickard.

Frank Seravalli: Yes, but I would go back to Skinner for Game 6.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Really?!?

Frank Seravalli: Yup. I think it’s still too early to call what direction Kris Knoblauch goes in, but I think we’re all in agreement that Skinner has the higher ceiling, and if your season’s on the line, you want to try and go back to the guy and see if he found his confidence. The leash is going to be short. If he starts the game and looks shaky or wobbly or you don’t like the body language, I’m giving him the hook.

But I think with Pickard’s pension at times for making the routine look amazing or an adventure, I just want someone that’s maybe a little bit more buttoned up. Pickard was good but there were also a few posts that they hit and plays or sequences where he was clearly and cleanly beaten that, you’re right, the score could have been a lot more lopsided. I’d go back to Skinner

Tyler Yaremchuk: Yeah, a couple of posts, a couple of pucks pulled off the line as well in that game, so the Canucks did kind of beat Pickard more than the score would tell you.

Frank Seravalli: I mean, they did beat him cleanly, maybe six times.

You can watch the full episode here…