Breaking: Edmonton Oilers Shuffle Goalies; Stuart Skinner Gets Start in Crucial Game 3 against Vegas, Replacing Injury-Prone Calvin Pickard
Headline:
Oilers’ Stuart Skinner Steps In for Injured Pickard as Netminder Set for Game 3 Against Golden Knights
Subheadings:
- Injury Update: Pickard Day-to-Day with Lower-Body Injury
- Skinner’s Return to the Crease
- Step by Step: Skinner’s Role in Oilers’ Playoff Runs
- Did You Know?
- Pro Tip: The Importance of a Solid Backup Goaltender
- FAQs: All Questions Answered
- Call to Action: Predict the Game’s Outcome
Article Content:
1. Injury Update: Pickard Day-to-Day with Lower-Body Injury
The Edmonton Oilers have been dealt a blow with the news that starting goaltender Calvin Pickard is day-to-day due to a lower-body injury sustained in Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Pickard appeared to twist his left leg in the third period when he was bumped by Knights forward Tomas Hertl.
2. Stuart Skinner Steps In
Skinner will replace Pickard in the crease for Game 3 at Rogers Place on Saturday (9 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SN, TNT, truTV, MAX). This will be Skinner’s first start since April 23, when he was pulled in the third period during a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in Game 2 of the first round. Despite his recent struggles (0-2 this postseason with a 6.11 GAA and an .810 save percentage), Skinner maintains a positive attitude.
Did you know? Skinner’s subpar playoff stats this year stand in stark contrast to his impressive 2024 regular season performance, where he posted a 2.81 GAA and an .896 save percentage.
3. Step by Step: Skinner’s Role in Oilers’ Playoff Runs
The 28-year-old netminder won the starting job at the beginning of the 2024 playoffs, earning it after a successful 2024 regular season. Last year, he played a crucial role in the Oilers’ playoff run, despite giving way to Pickard for Games 4 and 5 of the second round against the Vancouver Canucks. Skinner returned for Game 6, and the Oilers went on to win the series in seven games, ultimately losing to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.
4. Expert’s Take: Kris Knoblauch
“We’re expecting [Skinner] to come in and deliver what he’s done before,” said Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. “He was in the situation last year… and came back and was a solid goaltender throughout that series. I think he’s ready.”
Pro Tip: The Importance of a Solid Backup Goaltender
In today’s high-intensity playoff hockey, having a reliable backup netminder is crucial. The Oilers have experienced this firsthand, with Skinner stepping up when called upon in the past. This trend is not unique to the Oilers, as many teams in the NHL have benefited from the performance of their backup goalies during the playoffs.
5. FAQs: All Questions Answered
Q: How many games has Stuart Skinner played this postseason?
A: Skinner has played in three postseason games, with two of them being starts.
Q: What was Skinner’s performance like during the 2024 regular season?
A: Despite a lackluster playoff performance this year, Skinner maintained a respectable 2.81 GAA and an .896 save percentage during the 2024 regular season.
6. Call to Action: Predict the Game’s Outcome
With Stuart Skinner back in the crease, can the Edmonton Oilers replicate their Game 2 overtime victory? Sound off in the comment section below, and share your prediction for Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights!
As the Oilers and Golden Knights prepare to face off in Game 3, one things is clear: the timely performance of each team’s goaltending duo will play a crucial role in dictating the outcome of this heavily-contested series. The spotlight is on Stuart Skinner as he steps back into the spotlight, ready to prove himself and give his team a fighting chance against the formidable Vegas Golden Knights.