FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Stuart Skinner will start in goal for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup FInal against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS, CBC).
With his team facing elimination, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch on Monday would not commit to either Skinner or Calvin Pickard, but Skinner was in the starter's net for Edmonton at the morning skate Tuesday and later confirmed he is getting the nod.
Pickard made his first start of the Final in Game 5 on Saturday, a 5-2 loss at Rogers Place in Edmonton. He allowed four goals on 18 shots in what was his first loss of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs (7-1). Pickard has a 2.85 goals-against average and .886 save percentage in 10 games (seven starts).
Edmonton trails 3-2 in the best-of-7 series.
"From what I saw, ‘Picks’ didn't have much chance on those goals," Knoblauch said after Game 5. "Breakaways, shots through screens, slot shots. There's nothing saying it was a poor performance.
"So, that's what I see from it now."
Skinner was pulled at 3:27 of the third period in Game 3 on June 9 after allowing five goals on 23 shots. Pickard stopped seven of eight shots in the 6-1 loss. Skinner then started Game 4 on Thursday but was pulled again after allowing three goals on 17 shots in the first. Pickard entered in relief, stopping 22 of 23 shots to help the Oilers rally for a 5-4 overtime victory.
Knoblauch said the fact that Skinner has been pulled twice in the Final plays "some consideration" in the decision.
"But I think also how he’s responded and how he’s played in difficult situations, especially in the later half of the season. Maybe he got pulled, but I don’t put any of the blame on him," Knoblauch said."I think Stu is like our team, is very resilient. They play their best when their backs are against the wall and we need great performances from there. It’s no different whether it’s Stu or Picks, they’ve been able to come up big when we need them at the most important times."
Skinner is 7-6 with a 2.99 GAA, .891 save percentage and three shutouts in 14 starts during the playoffs.
Prior to relief work in Game 3, Pickard hadn't played since May 8, when he made 28 saves in a 5-4 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Western Conference Second Round. He sustained a lower-body injury during that game that led to Skinner regaining his starting role.
During the past two postseasons, Skinner is 9-1 in Games 5-7 with a 1.70 GAA and .918 save percentage. The lone loss was a 2-1 defeat to the Panthers in Game 7 of last year’s Cup Final.
"Obviously, February playing three in four is a little different than playing an elimination game, but I think it’s just ultimately who we feel is in the best position to win us a game," Knoblauch said. "And that’s pretty much how the games have gone previously and who’s looking really well at that moment and then we make our decision."
The Oilers will make other lineup changes too; John Klingberg will replace Troy Stecher on defense, and forward Kasperi Kapanen will be back in after sitting out Game 5, replacing forward Viktor Arvidsson. Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins did not participate in the morning skate but will play.
