Kelly Hrudey predicts the Edmonton Oilers starting goalie for Game 4 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Kelly Hrudey predicts the Edmonton Oilers starting goalie for Game 4 against the Vancouver Canucks.
EDMONTON -- Game intensity ramps up in the playoffs.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkavUdEx1d0[/embed]
That's why the Edmonton Oilers have a huge decision to make in net for tonight's game. The Vancouver Canucks have their guy in Arturs Silovs - but who will be the guy in-between the pipes on the other end of the ice?
Stuart Skinner has struggled at times in the playoffs - both this year and last year. He has also been fantastic at bouncing back this season. Greg Wyshynski pointed out on Twitter yesterday that Skinner is 9-1 after losses this season.
There is certainly a contingent of the Oilers fan base that wants to see the team put a different goalie in net for Game four. From the sounds of Kris Knoblauch's recent pressers - he's seriously considering it.
In his post game comments he mentioned that he didn't want to make a decision while the "emotions were high" from the loss - and I really appreciate this about Knoblauch. He doesn't make a change for the sake of making a change, there has to be a clear reason.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32jlG0pOUXk[/embed]
Yesterday he said that he would announce the starting goalie at today's morning skate. My guess is that he actually won't announce the starting goalie.
Some hockey analysts have made their prediction that the Oilers will go with veteran Calvin Pickard tonight in net. Kelly Hrudey and Scott Oake discussed the Oilers goaltending briefly yesterday.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O94-09UyQlo[/embed]
When Oake asked Hrudey about who he thinks will start for the Oilers he had this to say, "I'm going to say Pickard is going to be the guy."
"Skinner has not been his usual self, so you have to make a bold decision. So I would go with Pickard."
Whether the Oilers do make a goalie change or not for tonight's game - either decision will have ramifications that trickle out beyond Game 4.
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