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Oilers' Kris Knoblauch Reveals Major Update on Goalie Situation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 3:42 PM ET

Just as the Edmonton Oilers looked dead in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, the team fully stormed back. Edmonton stunned the Florida Panthers to even the series at 2-2, with the scene shifting back to Edmonton for Game 5.

But much of this had to do with the decision to pull goalie Stuart Skinner by Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. Skinner was pulled after allowing three goals on 17 shot attempts in the first period.

The Oilers went back to Calvin Pickard, who did just enough to allow the Edmonton offense to go to work. But with Game 5 coming up, the Oilers aren't fully ready to name a starting goalie.

"I'm not going to name (a starter) yet," Knoblauch said on Friday before the team headed back to Edmonton.

For the postseason, Skinner is 7-6 with a 2.99 goals-against average, .891 save percentage, and three shutouts. Pickard has gone 7-0 with a 2.69 GAA and .896 save percentage in nine games.

Numbers likely point to the Oilers going back to Pickard for Game 5, but Skinner has helped this team get to this point. Edmonton can't really go wrong with either goalie, but Pickard seems to be a better choice at this point.

Florida figured something out with Skinner, and this move could have saved the entire series for the Oilers. Edmonton was staring at a 3-1 series deficit, but now all the momentum has shifted right back in their favor.

Game 5 between the two sides is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET.

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

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