And Oilers coach Kris Knoblick knows it, judging by his comments after Edmonton’s 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in Game 3 of the Western Conference Second Round at Rogers Place on Sunday.
“Yes, we need more saves,” he said bluntly.
So much so that Knoblick would not commit to whether Skinner or backup
Calvin Pickard would start Game 4 of the best-of-7 series, which the Canucks lead 2-1 heading into a crucial matchup Tuesday (9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, CBC, SN, TVAS). That decision, Knoblick said Monday, will be made following the morning skate after the coaching staff deliberates on how to move forward.
On Sunday, coach Knoblick dropped another candid bombshell.
“We’ll see what he’s got in the future, whether it’s Game 4 or Game 5 or whenever it is,” Knoblauch said. “But we’ll see ‘Stu’ again.”
That’s hardly an endorsement of a team’s starting goalie.
Skinner allows 4 goals on 15 shots before being replaced to start 3rd
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Skinner replaced by Pickard during Game 3 loss to Canucks, hopes for chance to respond
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SKINNER! SKINNER! SKINNER! SKINNER!