Oilers Change Goalkeepers for Game 5

It’s always possible to switch goalkeepers, even at this stage of the playoffs.

The Oilers, aiming to clinch their first Stanley Cup since 1990, have decided to start Calvin Picard over Stuart Skinner for Game 5, set for 8 pm on Saturday. The series against the Panthers is currently tied 2-2.

Picard has stepped up impressively, coming off the bench in the last two games. In those matches, he faced 22 shots, making 17 consecutive saves, and then 23 shots in Game 4, which helped the Oilers swing from a three-goal deficit to an overtime victory.

This isn’t uncharted territory for Picard. He took over for Skinner in the first round against the Kings, leading the team to six straight wins before an injury forced them back to Skinner.

Picard has racked up seven consecutive victories, including the crucial win in Game 4. He’s now the fourth goalkeeper in playoff history to achieve seven straight wins after not starting the postseason as the primary goalie.

While Skinner started 51 games over the regular season and 14 in the playoffs, Picard has played for six different teams in his decade-long career. He could play a key role if the Oilers succeed in securing two more wins.

Interestingly, Picard’s .896 playoff save percentage outshines Skinner’s .891.

Coach Kris Knoblauch remarked, “We have two great goaltenders. Stu performed really well, especially in the latter part of the series. But the key factor for us is that we won previous games, and Picard has made several pivotal saves.”

The last time Stanley Cup champions split goalkeeper duties effectively was in 2017, when the Penguins utilized Mark Andre Fleury and Matt Murray to secure their title.