Do Oilers Go Into Next Season With Same 2 Goalies?

If the Edmonton Oilers don't win the Stanley Cup this season, it is going to put more pressure on the organization to do something more with goaltending. Many didn't think Calvin Pickard was a good enough backup, never mind a goalie who could rattle off six consecutive wins in the playoffs for the Oilers.

While he took over the starter's net in the playoffs, an untimely injury forced Stuart Skinner back in net. After Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Skinner was 0-3 with a .817 SV%, but the Oilers didn't really have anywhere else to turn to yet. He did take them to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final the year prior.

Skinner silenced many of the negative critics as he put together a big game shutout to help the Oilers to a 3-1 series lead. It doesn't appear like Pickard is going to be back next game, so if the Oilers can end Vegas in five or six games with Skinner finishing the series, it not only creates a big decision for the third round in net, but next season as well.

If the Oilers' goaltending can play sub-par in the regular season and then step up in the big moments in the playoffs, they only have to play well enough in front of them to get into the playoffs. The way Pickard has played, I think he is the most safe option to stay on the Oilers for next season. It has been back and forth for Skinner and the primes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can't be wasted with bad goaltending.

There have been reports that the Oilers are going to go out and bring in a third option to challenge the two (Skinner and Pickard) next season, and I think that is going to hold true, even with Olivier Rodrigue in the pipeline. Pickard has been better than expected this season and Skinner can get really hot. If need be, next year's trade deadline could be used to pick up help in net.

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