Kris Knoblauch Breaks Silence on Controversial Game 5 Goalie Call
Photo credit: Bleacher Report
After the Oilers made yet another goaltending switch in the SCF, head coach Kris Knoblauch explained his point of view after naming Calvin Pickard the Game 5 starter.
The Oilers are turning to goaltender Calvin Pickard for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers after he extended his undefeated streak to 7 straight games in the postseason on Thursday.
Pickard replaced Skinner, who allowed 3 1st-period goals to the Panthers, and eventually helped the Oilers complete a dramatic 5-4 OT win; they became the 1st NHL team to ever win a SCF game after trailing 3-0 in the 1st period.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch, who confirmed earlier today that Pickard would start, explained his decision to go with Pickard in Game 5 and said that his victory in Game 4 was one of the main factors.
It wasn't an easy call because we've got two good goaltenders. Stu has come in and played some really big games, especially later in the series. But the deciding factor for us was, we won the previous game. Picks (Pickard) made a lot of big saves. So that was probably the deciding factor, one we did win, and how well he played for him to get the net again.
While Pickard's 2.69 GAA and .896 SV% in the postseason aren't exactly spectacular marks, his 7-0 record is what's catching the most attention.
The Oilers also utilized Pickard, who has yet to lose a game in the postseason this year, in last year's postseason following the struggles of Skinner.
While Edmonton's goaltending situation in each of the last 2 years has been anything but conventional, they have advanced to the SCF on both occasions.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 14 | 138 ANSWERS Kris Knoblauch Breaks Silence on Controversial Game 5 Goalie Call Are the Oilers making the right call by starting Calvin Pickard in Game 5 against the Panthers? | ||
| Yes | 71 | 51.4 % |
| No | 67 | 48.6 % |
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