Is Skinner the right option in net for Oilers with their season on the line?

In a do-or-die game for the Oilers Kris Knoblauch turns back to Stuart Skinner to man the crease after he sat out the last two games. TSN's Oilers reporter, Ryan Rishaug, and Canucks reporter, Farhan Lalji debate if Skinner is the right option in net for Edmonton, and more ahead of a crucial Game 6.

[@KV____]

Skinner either lets in 6 goals or stands on his head tonight, there’s legit no in between lol.

[@Alex90210]

I like the decision to go to him. Got you here for the season.

[@declaninc]

​@@Alex90210Did he though? Or was it Mcdavid?

[@ganesalingamparamasivam3524]

season over!

[@Alex90210]

@@ganesalingamparamasivam3524 ...it's first to 4 games.

[@TheRealAT]

There’s definitely an in between, like the 3 games he played earlier in the series.

[@adamlee007]

Great choice...love from Vancouver

[@mathewwelsh9129]

Why are you talking about Pickard not having pedigree, and not used to playing 3 games in a row? Look at the other end of the rink, where a rookie goaltender, Silovs, had 9 games in the NHL total career, and now he's THE GUY for Vancouver. No pedigree, no experience. Pickard has NHL experience, and his numbers are better than Skinner's. I like Skinner as a person, but his performance has sucked. Oilers lost the last game because of the team play, not because of Pickard. The score was only 3-2 because of Pickard, and not 6-2.

[@markiv2942]

Because Farhan is stupid simpleton.

[@VolcanicProtectorMan]

You realize silovs has MVP of world championship beating out team USA right. Most goalies don't even have that on their resume.

[@chevelle1]

⁠@@VolcanicProtectorManWhile impressive, that’s a far cry from the semi finals of the NHL playoffs.

[@VolcanicProtectorMan]

@@chevelle1 you don't think team USA would make semi finals of NHL?

[@brianw3749]

@@VolcanicProtectorManto be fair, that was team USA’s C team maybe sprinkled with a couple B players. Silovs is good though.

[@gucci1131]

"is Skinner the right choice?" As a Canucks fan, he is not LOL

[@adamtajhassam9188]

it really doesnt matter both goalies are lit like a xmas tree lol asa Canucks fan here

[@Nickh4929]

​@adamtajhassam9188 how is silovs "lit like a Christmas tree". He is 3rd string standing on his head right now.

[@jackmaloney9936]

@@Nickh4929he’s talking about pickard

[@dw1784]

If I was a Canucks fan I'd be very happy to see Skinner starting Game 6.

[@CB-ob5vh]

Vancouver sucks

[@benh8199]

As another commenter wrote: If Pickard loses, Knoblauch's to blame. If Skinner loses, Skinner's to blame. This decision is to cover Knoblauch's butt.

[@littletobiesthecat6068]

How come I am already blaming Knoblauch even before the game on this decision. Stupid. I am not watching the game tonight.

[@marktownsend934]

@@littletobiesthecat6068this is why the hockey community lumps the oil fan base into the realm of being the worst with Toronto LOL have some faith you jabroni

[@Alex90210]

@@littletobiesthecat6068 It's a good call. Skinner got you to the dance. let him ride it out.

[@JT-gi8rx]

@@Alex90210Skinner has been absolutely terrible this series. Pickard is playing excellent. It’s not rocket science…

[@Alex90210]

@@JT-gi8rx Welp..looks like VAN going burn down again. LMFAO

[@Oilers1972]

Playing the guy with better numbers and who’s played better would make sense, but we now live in a world where feelings hold more weight than facts and 1+1 can = 3 if people feel like it. The future for the team is right now tonight. You can’t be worrying about long term goaltending plans. Bill Ranford wasn’t considered #1 guy until he was and won them a cup.

[@matt914]

Pickard was a beast in game 5 rip 😢

[@sonnyleprette7040]

Kris can apply for a job in San Jose as a assistant coach next season

[@willp9226]

Keep him on, and trade a couple of the dullards for some defensemen.

[@meleekunis2196]

Men, these two were going at it. Love it!

[@wellyforpm]

The bigger question is does mcdavid and 29 have anything left in the tank after a series of 30 minute games? Didn't look like it in game 5, both looked tired and worn out.

[@wellyforpm]

JT Miller vs McDavid - 48 mins, canucks 2 Oilers 0

[@LARGO125]

Hmm... OK.

[@dw1784]

This is a stupid debate. Skinner keeps failing in the playoffs as the rounds get tougher. He has not proven to be a big game go-to player. Just use the better option in this exact moment. Skinner isn't a future HOF goalie who has struggled, and you expect he'll bring you his best tonight with the season on the line. This is an OK goalie who has a mental breakdown as the playoffs get more intense. Picard is enjoying the moment. Give the poor guy his shot. He might even be more mature in this situation, given that he's older. Skinner needs a mental coach or he'll never win a Cup as a starting goalie.

[@colinp1568]

Hey Farhan, Maybe it's true that Pickard isn't a high pedigree goalie.. but neither is Skinner.

[@wainber1]

Ilya Samsonov started the 1st 4 games of the recent Leafs-Bruins series and had provided streaky goaltending. Sheldon Keefe, the Leafs' then-head coach, pulled Sammy after 2 periods of game 4, with Joe Woll, the main backup, having played from the 3rd period of game 4 to the end of game 6 but missed game 7 due to injury. That 7th game would feature Samsonov having started and Martin Jones dispatched to back Sammy up were Sammy to have been pulled (with Sammy having allowed just 2 goals over a span of just under 63 minutes including that part of the 1st OT period the Bruins would need before closing out that series in that extra period). If I were a: - Canucks' fan, I'd be tentatively feeling quite good because of Skinner having been a sieve throughout the relevant Western Conference playoff series - Oilers' fan, I'd be asking Coach Knoblauch why he'd want to mess with reasonably good goaltending Pickard had provided

[@viff_aventure]

Blues did the same thing in the bubble playoff against Canucks. They started Binington in game 6 instead Allen who played way better. We all know what happened.

[@chevelle1]

Exactly. There’s many examples of teams going on deep runs or winning the cup, deciding to go with their backup after their starter played like crap. The problem is far too many GMs and coaches commit to one goalie being “the guy”, sign him as such and stubbornly don’t want to be proved wrong. When the team loses, It’s easier to then blame that goalie for failing. Otherwise everyone would blame the coach for going with the backup instead of “the guy”.

[@shedworks6140]

As a canucks fan, I like that Skinner's playing. Pickard is a good steady goalie. Skinner reminds me of Dan Cloutier.

[@randyh3839]

Jack Campbell anyone?

[@TheFizzyGee]

Why not.

[@nbarealtalker]

I was at game 5. Pick stood on his head. But midway through the second, he fell back on his knee and took a second to get up. He might’ve woke up with a stiff knee.

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

Then Campbell should have been put in.

[@sonnyleprette7040]

Oilers trying to make their goalie the scapegoat for their loss

[@LARGO125]

Oh rly?

[@stevocanuck]

enjoy vacation oiler fans

[@Alex90210]

Buddy....It ain't over till its over.

[@nicholasperalta5335]

​@@Alex90210 fr, as a canucks fan it's can go either way

[@deregerm]

words designed to be eaten later. 😂

[@terryc.3624]

I hope the refs aren't that deaf and blind crew --

[@Alex90210]

@@terryc.3624 Oilers will still rock.

[@shiv604]

Fahran trying to gaslight oilers fans to play skinner 😂

[@hectorcruces9015]

He's a good choice if the Oilers can score 5-6 goals per game. Stick with Pickard if you want to force game 7.

[@ciarannolan247]

Is it So they can do a switch up at the end when they are down a goal, out of timeouts and need an extra minute of rest with 2 minutes left in the 3rd. Just to pull him 5 seconds later

[@t.j2418]

Farjan is just wrong. There is no point making big picture decisions if you lose tonight

[@toasty862]

The proper big picture decision would be to play the guy who's earned it. To play the guy who hasn't lost them games on his own. What a stupid decision this is

[@christhornycroft3686]

I'm a Canucks fan, but if I'm in the Oilers' position, you have to go with the guy who got you there. There's a reason the Oilers went on that run and Skinner was obviously a part of that. Unless you have a 2 goalie system, which isn't the case in Edmonton, in a do or die game, you have to go with the guys who got you to that point in the season and live or die with them, whether it's McDavid, Draisaitl, Ekholm or Skinner. If they get to the conference finals and lose with Skinner, and he continues to play like this, where do you go in the offseason?

[@Odysseus38]

Those two are gonna fight 😂😂😂😂

[@garylister]

Are those Pom-Poms for tonight's game? I already have a headache. 00:34

[@geronimo9595]

i wonder if pickard is banged up

[@stewarts8597]

the Canucks are riding Silovs so why can't the Oilers ride Pickard?

[@indielove4027]

Hard to believe Oilers can win the cup with Skinner and Connor Brown in their lineup. Prefer to see Brown and Knoblauch in Bakersfield. And Farhan I am pretty sure has never laced them up. When your goalie lets in a soft one it deflates the team and the fans.

[@davidwilliams4839]

That question will be answered at the end of the game. Lots of armchair coaches on the sidelines, but I don't see any of them on the bench or in the locker room.

[@kylekyle2330]

If Stu is the long-term choice, he should start tonight. He’s been your guy all season, so trust him or at least give him the respect to face whatever happens tonight.

[@nicko9046]

You have to take a chance on the guy who got you this far (for better or worse). I think it's the right move. But that doesn't mean he will put in a good performance, or that the other guy would in his place. Oilers should worry about their play more than who's in net.

[@lukeflyswatter3203]

Farhan is wrong. There is no long term if the Oilers lose this game due to Skinner. Why are you thinking beyond this game or series?

[@TheRealAT]

Big picture won’t matter if skinner is ass tonight

[@saifonlawrence2044]

Skinner can't stop a beachball...Go-lf Oilers Go-lf.

[@travishanna4619]

This is the same mistake Jay woodcroft made last year 🤨

[@jasonb9152]

Maybe but I doubt it. Why not go with the hot hand? Why would you risk the entire season and maybe Draisaitl on this future team? Seems pretty stupid to me, but who knows for sure.

[@ripapa6355]

You know what I hate? Pickard plays great, everybody's dissing him. McDavid's been invisible for 3 games, and now it's like. Oh well, maybe he's injured.

[@the_shizon3322]

Jesus Rishaug? Who has given them a high level of goaltending? Both. Don't forget about some of Skinners game saving performances in Round 1. Guys got a short memory.

[@Engra_]

I don't think coach made this decision.

[@sonnyleprette7040]

Kris knows that the oilers don't have a chance and has to make it look like they are going to try and win

[@Alex90210]

If they score 4-5 goals dont matter who in net.

[@timw4369]

doesnt matter if its the right choice or not. Its the choice now we see if vancouver can light him up

[@user-pw3qb1fn5r]

I believed my ex wife was faithful to me. My superpower is my absolute delusional optimism. LETS GO SKINNER!

[@Youtuber-yc4uo]

"He hasn't played 3 in a row" ... how stupid. How many in a row did Silovs play before??

[@VolcanicProtectorMan]

Silovs has MVP of world championships beating team USA how many goalies have that?

[@Youtuber-yc4uo]

@@VolcanicProtectorMan Thats your reply? You sir, are a moron.

[@FNWild]

Yes, he's an all-star goalie. I'd play my back up at least 25 games every regular season. Wouldn't change anything in the playoffs. Playing all 60 minutes is not easy. Most of the teams not in the playoffs are not able to play a full 60. Over playing your goalie results in groin and knee damage, and if you don't react quickly enough, EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!

[@bananian]

Just baffling starting skinner. Even if he stands on his head, it's going to introduce uncertainty in the team. Just bad idea all around.

[@toasty862]

Yeah teams don't like it when a guy earns a proper shot and has it taken away from him. Has Pickard not earned the chance to at least finish the series? Did you forget why you pulled Skinner in the first place? It's not like Pickard has been bad.... What a puzzling decision

[@Alex90210]

Skinner is going to have a GAME tonight. Enjoy the show folks!

[@alexphillips6891]

I really hope so. Oilers fan here and I haven't had confidence in skinner this season he always seems to let that 1 bad goal in and Packard has been playing better

[@Alex90210]

@@alexphillips6891 I Know but this year feels diff. I think the offense will show up too.

[@davin1287]

Big picture IS Skinner. You'd have to be stupid or think we're all stupid to think Skinner wouldn't start next series. Even if Pickard saved this one.

[@stevendibble5739]

.877 save %

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

Never should have stopped working out....never...it bends the curve to much. Its Anaerobic to act like that. Willy Tuckers. Pickard tweaked a knee so Black-Jack Campbell should have been put in hes the only Oilers Goalie capable of taking them all the way..

[@queretaromexico]

Go Canucks go

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

maybe have to take a chance

[@bradenahmet343]

Baby cakes doll 💕

[@BigNord64]

Farhan lalji the most biased reporter of all time lets here what he has to say

[@roykeane8164]

Oh boy

[@Jrrobins99]

Could go really good or go really bad but hey only time will tell

[@dj9savy]

Farnham just wants skinner in so the oilers will loose. It would be a better decision to save skinner for the next round. It’s not a good time to try and build a struggling goalies confidence on an elimination game

[@Kwolf1]

Skinner was not good in the regular season either. They were scoring 6-7 goals a game to outscore his bad play. He’s a bad goalie!

[@dunsbroccoli2588]

The obvious reason: Gotta rest Pickard for game 7. Lesgo bois

[@roofpizza1250]

In the game Pickard won he wasn't tested and he let in some soft goals in the game he lost. I'd do Skinner.

[@jeffsaulteaux635]

If Skinner costs the oilers this playoffs like last playoffs, this guys career is going to be over. Who would want a goalie who can't perform

[@curtislupaschuk901]

Yes

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

Jack Campbell has given the Oilers a high level of Playoff Goaltending. Full Stop. : >)

[@user-yg1dg6xm2g]

This goaltending change is not what Oilers fans want to hear, especially when one more loss means the end of the season.

[@dmonsef]

The only team Skinner has good playoff numbers against is the Kings! Overall his playoff career numbers are awful for a #1 goalie. Pickard has played better in his 2 n 1/3 games than Skinner has in these playoffs. Pickard moves around better against fast play than Skinner. I said somewhere else, if the Oilers want to continue relying on Skinner, then the Canucks will for sure win the series. This should be about the team. Pickard gives the Oilers the best chance to win and not Skinner. Knoblauch has been a good rookie coach for the Oilers this season, but he just made a rookie coach mistake.

[@adamgordon72]

Either way...Edmonton is tired and will do much better on a golf course

[@canadiantraveller281]

Pickard was their best player last game, change for the sake of making a change.

[@rfruss]

Pickard gets no respect from his own coach. I hope Skinner flops.

[@austinchang5039]

Nucks in 6

[@charlesking617]

Drai sabotages us minutes in!

[@user-qo1gk2kj3e]

You dance with who brung ya.

[@canadiantraveller281]

No team has won 2 straight, watch for the refs to help Edm go to game 7, where we will get Sutherland.

[@badyorkiewoodworking1531]

Dear lord that Lalji guy is super hard to listen to. Annoyingly combative and pointlessly argumentative. Can we get back to factual reporting please?

[@terryklemchuk19]

So that means silovs is not human, oiler fan Picard is my chose

[@DirtyMoneyHipHop]

Why don't you check the gambling website odds and make a decision?

[@jpowell36294]

I thought TSN beat reporters are supposed to be unbiased ... I've heard Shauger say it many o times of having to be impartial to the team your covering and ask the questions that need to be asked . This Farhan guy is a Homer and he ain't shy about letting everyone know . Just an observation

[@EdmOil83]

Putting in skinner is a mistake, not the game to gamble

[@fluffylorax8052]

fuck it play jack campbell

[@PEDMonkeyBananaMan]

Oilers in 4

[@PrimeSportsNetwork]

This was Knoblauch's plan all along since the game 3 loss. His goal was to get back to Edmonton down 3-2 (3-2 up would have been preferred of course, but he was playing the long game) and hope that Skinner would return just in time to save the series and the season. This was the only way to get Skinner's head right with the chance to win a Cup. And it was a harder decision only due to how well Pickard played. It was a very smart decision no matter what occurs moving forward.

[@RickL_was_here]

Dumb move. Skinner best prove us all wrong or I won't want to see him in that uniform again. 2 years of this is enough already.

[@kalebwizniuk8818]

Farhan with an absolutely awful take imo. Play the guy with worse numbers just cause he got us here? Playoffs are a WIN NOW time, and you play the Goalie who has the better numbers. Period. Also comes across a wildly cocky. Pump the breaks bud.

[@baohoaily]

Lol

[@ripapa6355]

It's a cowardly move by knoblach.

[@magus5555]

No

[@delluhlerenaud2349]

Totally disagree with Farhan.Uh Silovs? Prime example. These two have been getting along too well and the network told the to find something to disagree on. Totally stupid and fabricated argument. You ride the hot hand. End of story.

[@Jessic4D]

part of the calculus, i think is this, if stu fails and has to be pulled, we know picard can do it. but!! if they put picard in and he has to be pulled, what kind of stu would be taking his place. a rejected one. either way GOOOOILERS! our boys are gonna do it with a huge mcdavid night.

[@toasty862]

But if you know one can do it and the other's a question mark, why are you going with the question mark at all? Your season's on the line. You have to win. This is a stupid call, even if Skinner stands on his head. Pickard earned the spot. This is a good way for Knoblauch to lose the room.

[@aomoxomoa3658]

If either goalie gets pulled the game is already lost

[@365greenhouse6]

Skinner is the right choice... if the Oilers want to be golfing tomorrow. Canucks vs Dallas. Yawn.

[@0VITO13]

Maybe McDavid is still recovering from getting chopped into 3 pieces by Canuck goons😮

[@sktoh4469]

LOL. Go Canucks!

[@terryc.3624]

Wasn't that beautiful---MC wonderful should stop crying and diving.....

[@0VITO13]

5-1 oilers😂

[@RickL_was_here]

Silovs isn't any better than Pickard. Canucks fans continuing to show they're idiots.... Every game has been settled by 1 goal. So if the Oilers suck, as Canucks fans insist, than the Canucks too must suck because between the iffy goaltending and the "one line team" comments, they've still barely managed to win.... So what is it?

[@CS97660]

Does this clown not know that Solovs had less than 10 NHL games played? What a stupid take. Skinner = A Loss

[@grace14emily27]

Farhan Lalji is a tool... Pro Canucks... I don't cheer... lol Get real Farhan

[@joejones8810]

Not only is Skinner the right choice, he's just one of the Ed's who will propel the O's to drink from the Lord Stanley's cup. I know it. I feel it. I believe it.

[@0CaptainMyCaptain]

Cant wait for Oilers to win 2 games this long weekend so we dont have to listen to canuck fabs anymore

[@Youtuber-yc4uo]

Why is the white guy yelling?

[@Peilla]

Because the team he covers is facing elimination.