BREAKING: Edmonton Oilers netminders Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are drawing stark contrasts in the team’s defensive strategy, with noticeable differences in performance and results when either goalie takes the crease against the Vegas Golden Knights in the playoffs. While Skinner has been praised for his composure and ability to keep the Oilers in games, Pickard, who had a brief stint with Vegas, has seemed to struggle, raising questions about the team’s approach to defending their net. This disparity in performance could significantly impact the Oilers’ chances of advancing, with analyst blogs delving into metrics like shot-faced distance, giveaways, and takeaways to explain the differing fortunes. The Oilers organization and fans eagerly await confirmation on who will suit up in net for Game 3, with the team’s playoff dreams potentially hinging on the choice.
Heads Up! Early Trends in the Oilers’ Goalie Rivalry & Beyond
Oilers’ Goalie Duel: Skinner vs. Pickard
The Edmonton Oilers are heating up in the playoffs, and at the heart of their success lies an intriguing goalie duel between Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. A recent Monday Mailbag on Oilers Nation explores this dynamic.
A Tale of Two Keepers
Skinner, the young hopeful, has impressed with his agility and athleticism. Pickard, the seasoned veteran, brings experience and consistency. But do the Oilers play differently with one vs. the other? The data suggests so.
Three Early Surprises for Edmonton in the Golden Knights Series
The Oilers face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round, and the series has already thrown up some surprises. The New York Times highlights three:
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Oilers’ special teams prowess: Edmonton’s power play and penalty kill have been dominant, operating at above 30% efficiency.
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Connor McDavid’s defensive contributions: The league’s leading scorer has been solider than ever, leading the team in ice time and blocking shots.
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Calv & Skin Horn Kamen’s emergence: The depth defensemen have stepped up big, with Horn now leading all playoff D in assists.
Pickard’s Unique Milestone
Calvin Pickard has made history with a unique playoff achievement. The Hockey News reports that he’s the first goalie to start consecutive playoff games after being inactive for the entire regular season.
PDO and Beyond: Analyzing the Playoffs So Far
The playoff picture is starting to clarify, and analytics are providing intriguing insights. DobberHockey’s Analytics Advantage digs into PDO, giveaways/takeaways, and more:
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PDO (Save% + Shoot%): Oilers lead the post-season with a 104 PDO, testament to their goalie play and scoring prowess.
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Giveaways/Takeaways: Carolina Hurricanes top the charts, with a staggering +70 takeaway-giveaway differential.
Pickard Reflects on His Vegas Stint
Calvin Pickard recently opened up about his brief stint with the Vegas Golden Knights. The Edmonton Journal shares his thoughts:
“It was a great learning experience… I felt I was playing some of the best hockey of my career there.”
FAQs: Burning Questions on the Oilers’ Goaltending Duel
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Q: Who leads in save percentage?
A: Stuart Skinner, with a .933 SV% vs. Pickard’s .900. -
Q: How about goals-against average?
A: Again, Skinner leads (2.37 vs. 2.93). -
Q: So, Skinner has been consistently better?
A: So far, yes, but the season’s not over yet!
As the Oilers’ playoff run continues, the Skinner vs. Pickard debate rages on. Both keepers have proven their worth, and we can’t wait to see how this trend evolves. Stay tuned!
Call to Action
Which goalie do you think leads the Oilers to victory? Sound off in the comments, and don’t forget to explore more articles to stay ahead of the game. Until next time, hockey fans!