The Edmonton Oilers will start netminder Stuart Skinner for Tuesday's must-win Game 6 against the Florida Panthers, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed.
"You look at the amount of elimination games he's played in, I think there was six last year," the bench boss said. "Every single game that he played in were really solid - if not spectacular - performances. ... We have a lot of confidence in him."
Defenseman John Klingberg will also re-enter the lineup in place of Troy Stecher, while winger Kasperi Kapanen will come in for Viktor Arvidsson. Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins wasn't on the ice Tuesday morning, but Knoblauch expects him to play in Game 6.
Skinner started the first four contests of the Stanley Cup Final but was pulled in Games 3 and 4. Edmonton went with Calvin Pickard in Game 5, and he was beaten four times on 18 shots as the Panthers moved within one win of repeating as Stanley Cup champions.
Knoblauch acknowledged Sunday that picking a starter wouldn't be "an easy decision," adding that he had faith in both of his goaltenders to pull out a win.
"It's huge," Skinner said of his opportunity in Game 6. "Feeling good coming into tonight, definitely know that I have the confidence of my teammates and coaching staff. I think there's obviously a lot of belief still."
Skinner owns an .860 save percentage and a 4.20 goals-against average versus Florida this series while allowing 2.1 goals above expected, according to Evolving-Hockey. He was given the hook in Game 4 after allowing three goals in the first period as Florida dominated the frame, outshooting the Oilers 17-7.
"It might sound weird - I felt like I played well," Skinner said. "But sometimes that happens. It's just life, especially as a goalie. It can be hard sometimes. The process after that is, try to shake it off as quickly as I am able to. I wasn't able to for a little bit, I was a little bit frustrated. ... There's not much time in this league - especially in the finals - to sulk on it and feel bad for yourself."
Edmonton superstar Leon Draisaitl knows his team will need a better start Tuesday to lessen the pressure on Skinner and extend its season. The Panthers have outscored the Oilers 7-0 in the first period over the past three games.
"I think we still haven't seen our best," Draisaitl said. "Now would be a great time to show it."
Knoblauch believes in the Oilers' ability to stave off elimination after watching them do it last spring. Edmonton dropped its first three games against the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final before rallying to force Game 7.
Skinner started all three of the Oilers' victories, allowing just five goals on 86 shots for a .942 save percentage. He surrendered just one goal on 21 shots in Game 6.
"One thing I've found with this team going back to last year is, when our backs are against the wall, they play their best," Knoblauch said. "They bring their best."
