Should the Edmonton Oilers Trust Stuart Skinner Again for Game 6 or Stick With the Hot Hand in Calvin Pickard?

The Edmonton Oilers are staring down the barrel of elimination in the Stanley Cup Final, and the question hanging over head coach Kris Knoblauch’s head is as crucial as any strategic decision he’s made all year: should the team go back to Stuart Skinner in goal for Game 6, or continue riding with backup Calvin Pickard, who has held the line admirably during Skinner’s shakier moments?

Goaltending decisions are always scrutinized during the postseason, but for Edmonton, it’s become the defining conversation. This isn’t merely a matter of who starts—it’s a reflection of trust, trajectory, and team psychology. Skinner has been their No. 1 all season, helping them recover from a brutal 2-9-1 start to becoming one of the league’s most dangerous teams down the stretch. Yet when he falters, it feels seismic. When Pickard steps in, there’s a sense of calm—but can that sustain itself under the pressure of the most important game of the year?

Stuart Skinner’s playoff performance this year has been uneven, to say the least. His early-round struggles—particularly against Vancouver—resulted in him being pulled for Pickard, who steadied the ship in key moments. But Knoblauch’s pattern has been consistent: give Skinner the net again once he’s rested and ready. That plan has paid off at times. But now, with the series tilted heavily against Edmonton, and Florida sensing blood in the water, there’s no room for error.

Let’s examine the case for and against giving Skinner the crease in Game 6.

The Case for Skinner

Skinner has been the guy all season long. He’s the goaltender who posted a 36-16-5 record with a .905 save percentage and 2.62 goals-against average during the regular season. He was the man between the pipes during Edmonton’s long mid-season winning streak and was instrumental in helping the Oilers claw back into the Pacific Division race after an abysmal start. When Skinner is in rhythm, he gives the Oilers a chance to win every night. His puck-handling skills also act as a third defenseman—something the Oilers rely on, particularly with their aggressive breakout system.

More importantly, Skinner has been resilient. Every time he’s been benched or criticized, he’s bounced back. After being pulled in Game 3 of the Vancouver series, Skinner responded in Game 6 with a 14-save, 5-1 win. He’s proven that he can take criticism and adversity and turn it into fuel. That trait is essential at this point in the postseason, where pressure is as much mental as it is physical.

And then there’s the big-picture angle: if the Oilers plan to make Skinner their long-term starter, what message does it send to sit him in their most pivotal game of the season? Would it damage his confidence? Would it create doubt in the dressing room? These are intangible factors, but they matter in a close-knit locker room.

The Case Against Skinner

While Skinner has had strong moments, his 2024-25 playoff performance has not been consistently reliable. His current postseason numbers—an .883 save percentage and a 3.23 goals-against average—paint a picture of a goalie struggling under the spotlight. In contrast, Pickard, though only appearing in a handful of games, has shown sharpness, poise, and the ability to make the timely save. In Games 4 and 5, Pickard gave the Oilers a sense of stability, allowing them to stay competitive in must-win scenarios.

The Stanley Cup Final is not the place to give someone another chance to find their game. It’s about performance—right now. Pickard’s sample size may be small, but he hasn’t done anything to lose the net. In fact, his calm demeanor and steady glove have seemingly calmed the entire Oilers blue line, which has looked more cohesive and confident with him in goal.

The other risk with Skinner is psychological. The Panthers are opportunistic and ruthlessly efficient. Any sign of shakiness, any early goal that squeaks through, could unravel the Oilers’ efforts. Skinner has shown vulnerability to momentum swings. In high-pressure games where a single goal can tilt the outcome, that’s a dangerous liability.

Furthermore, Pickard has earned the right to stay in net—not just for his play, but for what his presence represents. He’s the backup who has never complained, always stayed ready, and delivered when asked. That kind of reliability is gold in the postseason. Sticking with him could rally the team around an underdog narrative—something fans and players alike often find galvanizing.

What the Locker Room Thinks

Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid have both publicly supported both goaltenders throughout the playoffs, choosing their words carefully when asked. But behind the scenes, players can sense who gives them the best chance. When a goalie is in rhythm, the team defends differently—they play with more confidence, knowing they won’t have to be perfect every shift. Right now, that seems to be the case with Pickard.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, one of the team’s longest-tenured veterans, recently spoke about the “trust” factor in their goaltending. Though he didn’t name names, his words emphasized the value of consistency. That can be read either way. Skinner has been the season-long starter; Pickard has been the short-term solution. The team may ultimately back whoever Knoblauch picks, but they’ll be watching the first few minutes of Game 6 closely.

Kris Knoblauch’s Dilemma

For Knoblauch, this is the moment where he defines his coaching tenure in Edmonton. Does he reward season-long loyalty and give Skinner the net one more time, hoping that experience and bounce-back capability carry the day? Or does he stay with Pickard, honoring the short-term hot hand and signaling that every inch matters when the Cup is on the line?

Knoblauch has shown that he’s not afraid to make bold moves—whether it’s juggling lines or pulling goalies mid-game. But he’s also shown loyalty to Skinner, often giving him the net back quickly. This decision won’t just influence Game 6—it could shape the Oilers’ entire future.

A Team Identity Question

This isn’t just about goalies. It’s about identity. The Oilers have spent the past three years building themselves into a contender, finally shaking the narrative that they’re top-heavy and unable to win tough games. Game 6 is a referendum on everything they’ve built. Whether it’s Skinner or Pickard, the starter needs to reflect the team’s core principles: accountability, readiness, and competitive fire.

McDavid and Draisaitl are in their prime. The team is deep, physical, and determined. The only question left is who will be in net when the puck drops. The answer could determine whether Edmonton pushes the series to a Game 7 showdown or watches the Panthers celebrate on their ice.

Stuart Skinner has earned the right to start Game 6—if this were about the full season. But this isn’t the regular season. This is the Stanley Cup Final. It’s survival. It’s legacy. And based on performance alone, Calvin Pickard might just give the Oilers their best chance to see one more day.

So, should the Oilers go back to Skinner? Only if they’re convinced he’s ready to win—not just play. Because at this point, there’s no margin left. Only history waiting.