Oilers Face New Challenge In Net After Trade Deadline

Goaltending wasn't the Edmonton Oilers' priority at the trade deadline, but they have a new challenge in net since then.

The Oilers put their faith in the goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, but the former is missing his second straight game due to a day-to-day head injury.

Skinner left the game on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars after Mikko Rantanen's knee hit the 26-year-old's head. He didn't dress on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, and he's expected to miss Saturday's game against the Calgary Flames as well, coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters. That came after the concussion spotter pulled Skinner from a March 20 game.

The Oilers are relying on Pickard as the starter without Skinner, while AHL call-up Olivier Rodrigue gets backup duties.

That said, there were questions heading into the deadline and afterward about whether the Oilers needed some more insurance in net. Skinner has an .894 save percentage and 2.91 goals-against average, while Pickard has an .898 SP and 2.75 GAA this season. 

Past speculation suggests the Oilers could use either a "1B goalie" to lessen Skinner's workload or a goaltender to challenge him for starting duties. But this team had the same tandem last season en route to the Stanley Cup final.

Avry Lewis-McDougall has more in the Oilers goaltending video column up above.

Jonathan Tovell contributed to this article.

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