The goaltending situation in Bakersfield is a far cry from that of its NHL affiliate Edmonton Oilers
The 2023-24 NHL season couldn't have started less according to plan for the Edmonton Oilers.
The majority consensus Stanley Cup favorite for many insiders and pundits - including many of our own THN staff - the Oilers have been in a downward spiral towards the murky bottom of the west occupied by the lowly San Jose Sharks.
As of Tuesday, the Oilers sit 31st in the league with a woeful 2-8-1 record with 47 goals against opposite just 29 for.
Goaltending, simply put, has been a nightmare for the Oilers, one not even McDavid, Draisaitl and company can break from.
In his sophomore season in Oil Country, Jack Campbell has been a ghost of his former self, owning a paltry 4.50 GAA and .873 save percentage in five games.
His partner Stuart Skinner hasn't faired much better. Through seven starts Skinner has amassed a 3.99 GAA and an unsightly .856 save percentage, allowing six goals on 36 shots against current season kryptonite Vancouver Canucks.
In stark contrast, the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, through an admittedly early sample size, have seen a mixture of rock-solid crease care and potent scoring to kick off the 2023-24 season.
Through six games in the young season, the Condors sit 4-2, finding timely scoring from the likes of recent call-up Raphael Lavoie (4 goals, 7 points in 5 games), center James Hamblin (3 goals, 5 points in 6 games) and recent Oilers signee, veteran Sam Gagner (5 points in three games).
Goaltending has been a constant for the Condors, with multi-club vet Calvin Pickard putting up a 2.03 GAA and .939 save percentage with two wins on four starts, and Oliver Rodrigue opening to a perfect 2-0, with a pristine 1.00 GAA and .968 save percentage.
That mix of offense plus saves when they matter has made all the difference early for the Condors.
One or both netminders could draw the attention of an Oilers club desperate for both saves and to stop a titanic spill before the season is out of reach.