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Oilers Coach's Answer to Potential Game 5 Lineup Change

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 9:51 AM ET

The Stanley Cup Final returns to Canada on Saturday night with the series tied at two games apiece and one big question on the Edmonton Oilers' horizon.

Despite back-to-back benchings of Stuart Skinner and two strong relief appearances from Calvin Pickard, head coach Kris Knoblauch has refused to commit to a Game 5 starter in net for the Oilers, leaving the door open for both possibilities.

On Friday, to keep everybody and mostly the Florida Panthers coaches and players guessing, Knoblauch reiterated his confidence in both goaltenders when asked about a potential change.

“Both goalies have been really good and key for us to getting here,” Knoblauch said. “Stu, since Picks’ injury, came in, played some really good games. The Vegas series, Dallas series.”

Calvin Pickard

First Oilers goaltender to begin a postseason 7-0 since Grant Fuhr in 1985 pic.twitter.com/6DjOvwXChb
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 13, 2025

Knoblauch said the team’s play in front of Skinner in Game 4 didn’t help the 26-year-old who was pulled after allowing three goals on 17 shots.

“Any time we haven’t been strong in front of him, it’s unfortunate like last night in the first period,” Knoblauch said. "We weren’t our best, and it puts the goalie in a vulnerable position and as a coach, we make that switch."

Skinner has allowed 13 goals across his last three starts and has now been pulled in back-to-back games.

Pickard, meanwhile, remains undefeated this postseason in the games he's started at 7-0, has stopped 29 of the 32 shots he's faced over the past two games, and turned aside all but one in Game 4 after replacing Skinner with the Oilers down 3-0.

“Picks comes in and makes some huge saves, so it’s nice that we’ve got a nice tandem,” Knoblauch said. “Each one of them has been really solid for us. We need to play better in front of whoever is in net.”

Game 5 is set for Saturday night in Edmonton, with puck drop set at 8 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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