Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Edmonton Oilers Confirm Starting Goalie for Stanley Cup Elimination Game

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 12:28 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers are going back to goaltender Stuart Skinner to start their must-win Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.

It's do or die for the Edmonton Oilers, as they trail 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers with Game 5 set to be played Tuesday.

The decision has been made by coach Kris Knoblauch to go back to goaltender Stuart Skinner after having already pulled him in favor of Calvin Pickard twice in the series; Pickard started Game 5 but allowed 4 goals as part of a 5-2 loss.

Following practice on Monday, Knoblauch didn't announce which goaltender he was leaning towards starting.

It's who we feel can win us a game. That's how it's gone in other games, and we'll make that decision.

Winger Connor Brown also spoke positively about both goaltenders, saying they're both capable of handling the challenge.

A strength of our team is that we can go with both guys. They're up for the challenge. I mean, they're both absolute pros. Both have given this their best every time they come in there, and they both work hard, so we're in it as a group.

Skinner was pulled by Knoblauch after he allowed 11 goals in the opening 2 games of the WCQF against the Los Angeles Kings and was replaced by Pickard, who won 4 straight and helped Edmonton advance to face the Vegas Golden Knights.

After he won another pair of consecutive games, the Oilers went back to Skinner, who helped them eventually eliminate Vegas and then the Dallas Stars in the WCF. But twice in the SCF, Skinner has been pulled for Pickard.

Pickard helped the Oilers claim an improbably victory in Game 4 after initially being down 3-0 and was given the start for Game 5, but faltered.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: