Goaltending has been a hot topic in the playoffs for the Edmonton Oilers. Despite helping guide the team to their incredible mid-season turnaround and posting amazing numbers during the team’s win streak, Stuart Skinner has struggled in the playoffs. With just an .877 save percentage, 3.22 goals against average, and -4.6 goals saved above expected in eight games, the Oilers needed to make a change.
Calvin Pickard came in and played exactly as well as he needed to in Game 4 to get the team a win and keep them in the series. And much to his credit, both goals against appear to have been deflected off of skaters.
This brings up the big question for Game 5; who gets the start in net? In morning skate, Pickard took his place in the starter’s net.
How do the fans feel?
Leaving absolutely no room for doubt, the fans overwhelmingly feel that Pickard should start Game 5.
And why wouldn’t he? The team just rallied around a journeyman backup who won his first-ever playoff start and played some of the most defensively sound hockey they have in the series.
It hits on two principles. First, you win you’re in. Ride the hot hand. And second, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Reflection on last season’s playoff run
The goaltending debate in the playoffs is nothing new to the Oilers fanbase. It was the same thing that came up last season as well. When Skinner was fatigued from the regular season and struggled in Round 1 against the Los Angeles Kings, Jack Campbell came in in relief and guided the team to a comeback victory, ultimately saving the season.
But last season, Skinner continued to start every game. Despite Campbell coming in relief in four of the team’s 12 playoff games and posting a .961 SV% and 1.01 GAA, he never got a start.
That is a big difference with this season. Coach Knoblauch made the bold move and started the backup before it was too late.
One Comment