Kris Knoblauch Rips Stuart Skinner after abysmal playoff performance
Photo credit: The Hockey News
The Edmonton Oilers took a tough 4-3 loss against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 3, putting them behind 2-1 in the series. The main culprit? Goaltending.
Vancouver's third-string goalie, Arturs Silvos, made 42 saves on 45 shots, with a 2.91 goals saved above expected.
Meanwhile, things got so bad on the Oilers side, backup Calvin Pickard ended up leading the team onto the ice for the final frame, leaving Stuart Skinner on the bench after a rough start. Skinner allowed four goals on 15 shots and had a -1.42 goals saved above expected.
Coach Kris Knoblauch didn't mince words, saying they need more from their goalie, who wasn't made available to the media postgame.
The Knob didn't open the door to a starter for Tuesday's game 4, leaving everyone hanging.
Tonight is one that he (Skinner) would like to have back, and we'll see what he's got in the future, whether that's Game 4 or Game 5 or whatever it is. We'll be seeing Stu again.
"I'm not committing to that (starting Skinner) or making a decision right now. Obviously, it's very emotional right now after a loss. We'll get together tomorrow as a staff and make a decision.
"I'm not committing to that (starting Skinner) or making a decision right now. Obviously, it's very emotional right now after a loss. We'll get together tomorrow as a staff and make a decision.
Skinner's stats aren't doing him any favors either, with a shaky performance in the playoffs so far.
Stuart Skinner this series:
� 43 saves on 54 shots
� .796 sv%
� 5.27 more goals allowed than expected
Is Edmonton running with Skinner all playoffs?
� 43 saves on 54 shots
� .796 sv%
� 5.27 more goals allowed than expected
Is Edmonton running with Skinner all playoffs?
Through 8 games, Stuart Skinner has allowed -5.7 goals above expected per @EvolvingHockey. Connor Hellebuyck's -6.5 GSAx in 5 games is still the worst in the this year's playoffs (so far).
It's a tough lesson for the Oilers: no matter how talented your team is, a solid goalie is essential. And right now, they're feeling the sting of that truth.
As seen on Sportsnet:
'We need more saves': Oilers' Skinner pulled in Game 3 vs. Canucks
'We need more saves': Oilers' Skinner pulled in Game 3 vs. Canucks
| POLL | ||
13 MAI | 914 ANSWERS Kris Knoblauch Rips Stuart Skinner after abysmal playoff performance Should the Edmonton Oilers starts Stuart in the net for next game or Calvin Pickard? | ||
| Stuart Skinner | 313 | 34.2 % |
| Calvin Pickard | 601 | 65.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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