Knoblauch turns back to Skinner, makes two more tweaks as Oilers look to keep season alive
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FORT LAUDERDALE - Stuart Skinner is getting the call with his team's season on the line.
The Oilers goaltender will start Tuesday in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers with Edmonton facing elimination in the NHL's title series.
"Definitely know that I have the confidence of my teammates and the coaching staff," Skinner said after the morning skate. "There's obviously a lot of belief."
Skinner was pulled in Game 4 after allowing three goals on 17 shots in the first period. Calvin Pickard took over and made 22 saves the rest of the in the Oilers' 5-4 overtime victory.
The veteran journeyman got the net in Game 5, surrendering four goals on 18 shots in Florida's 5-2 win that moved the Panthers within one victory of the team's second straight Cup win after topping Edmonton in seven last June.
"It might sound weird … I felt like I played well," Skinner said of Game 4. "But sometimes that happens. It's just life. Especially as a goalie, it can be hard sometimes."
The Edmonton product is 7-3 in these playoffs with an .891 save percentage and 2.99 goals-against average.
The Oilers are set to make two other lineup changes, with winger Kasperi Kapanen coming in for Viktor Arvidsson and John Klingberg suiting up in place of Troy Stecher on defence.
Game 7, if necessary, would be Friday in Edmonton.
Kapanen, who sat out Game 5, has three goals and three assists for six points in 11 contests this post-season.
"Can get in on the forecheck, can make a play," Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said. "When he's dialled in, he's a really good hockey player."
Klingberg re-enters the fray after sitting out Games 4 and 5. The blueliner has one goal and three assists in 18 playoff contests as part of Edmonton's run to the final
Knoblauch added that he expects forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who missed Monday's practice and Tuesday's on-ice session with an undisclosed injury, to play in Game 6.
Skinner, meanwhile, was also benched in the first round with Edmonton down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings. Pickard took over and won six straight starts before getting hurt in Game 2 of the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights, which opened the door for Skinner.
"He's done it for numerous years in a row now," Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl said of Skinner. "We went to Game 7 in the Stanley Cup final last year. He was amazing in the playoffs. He's had incredible games this year. There's just a trust factor that we know that he can get the job done for us.
"He was amazing in the first period (of Game 4) … it was us that let him down. We have full belief in him."
Oilers forward Adam Henrique has been impressed with Skinner's mental makeup and ability to bounce back.
"That's a pressure-packed position," he said. "We've talked a lot about the emotions through the season and playoffs and how much of a roller-coaster it can be. And in that position, even more. He always seems to just be calm, cool, collected."
Skinner backstopped Edmonton to series victories over the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars to help the Oilers reach their second straight final.
"Stu's been in a lot of high-pressure games," Knoblauch said. "You look at the amount of elimination games he's played in — I think there were six last year — and every single game he played in were really solid, if not spectacular, performances.
"When the season's on the line, we have a lot of confidence in him."