Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch reveals major change for Game 3

The Oilers will be making a lineup change heading into Saturday night’s Game 3 against the Golden Knights.  However, it’s not one they’d prefer to make as goaltender Calvin Pickard did not take part in the morning skate.  Following the skate, head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters that Pickard is listed as day-to-day and that Stuart Skinner will get the nod, via Jesse Granger of The Athletic.  Olivier Rodrigue will serve as the backup.

Skinner returns between the pipes after two very rocky starts to start the playoffs against Los Angeles.  In those outings, he allowed 11 goals on just 57 shots in 108 minutes of playing time for a .810 SV% to go along with a 6.10 GAA.  The Oilers lost both of those games, leading them to turn to Pickard for the third game of that series.

Since then, Pickard has played well, winning all six of his starts despite a below-average .888 save percentage, but he hasn’t allowed more than four goals in any of his outings, as Edmonton’s high-octane offense has helped lead them on this winning streak.  However, Tomas Hertl fell into him late in Thursday’s second game, and it’s possible that’s where this injury came about.

Skinner is no stranger to playing in high-pressure games as he was the Oilers starter for the bulk of their run to the Stanley Cup Final last year but got off to a slow start in that run as well.  Overall, he had a 2.45 GAA and .901 SV% in that postseason.  He also made 50 starts for the Oilers this season, posting a 2.81 GAA and a .896 SV%.  He now has a second chance to try to reclaim his No. 1 spot while attempting to lead Edmonton to a commanding three-game lead in the series.