The Edmonton Oilers are facing a critical juncture in the Stanley Cup Final after a resounding 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Florida Panthers in Game 3. As they prepare for Game 4, two key storylines are dominating the headlines: the looming goalie decision and the fines levied against defenseman Jake Walman.

Following a shaky performance in Game 3, where he allowed five goals on 23 shots before being pulled, Stuart Skinner's status as the starting goaltender is uncertain. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch has remained tight-lipped about his decision, stating that an announcement will be made closer to game time. This leaves open the possibility of Calvin Pickard, who replaced Skinner in the third period of Game 3 and stopped seven of eight shots, getting the nod.

Skinner's recent playoff performance has been a mixed bag. While he demonstrated brilliance at times, he has also struggled with consistency. In his 13 postseason appearances, he has allowed 38 goals with a save percentage of .894. In contrast, Pickard boasts a perfect 6-0 record in the playoffs this year, with a .888 save percentage and a 2.87 goals-against average. He took over for Skinner earlier in the playoffs and won six consecutive starts before an injury sidelined him. Knoblauch has turned to Pickard in the past to revitalize the team. He was instrumental in Edmonton's comeback against Vancouver earlier in the playoffs.

Several factors could influence Knoblauch's decision. Skinner has had excellent numbers in Game 4s throughout his playoff career, which could weigh in his favor. "A lot of last night was a team-wide breakdown,” Knoblauch noted, suggesting that Skinner wasn't solely to blame for the Game 3 loss. Captain Connor McDavid echoed this sentiment, saying, "I don't know how much we're going to put on Stu. We can be better, for sure."

However, the Oilers are in a precarious position, trailing 2-1 in the series. A loss in Game 4 could put them in a nearly insurmountable 3-1 hole. The pressure to perform is immense, and Knoblauch may opt for Pickard in an attempt to shake things up and provide a spark.

Adding to the Oilers' woes, defenseman Jake Walman has been fined a total of $10,000 for two separate incidents in Game 3. The NHL Player Safety Department handed down a $5,000 fine for roughing Matthew Tkachuk and another $5,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct. The roughing penalty stemmed from a scrum in front of the Oilers' net, where Walman took a swing at Tkachuk's head while the latter was entangled with John Klingberg. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was for squirting water at Panthers players on their bench from his place on the visiting side.

While some Oilers fans found humor in Walman's water-bottle antics, the league took a dim view of his behavior. These fines underscore the heightened emotions and intensity of the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers accumulated 140 penalty minutes in Game 3, reflecting their frustration and desperation.

Looking ahead to Game 4, the Oilers need to regain their composure and discipline. They must also address their defensive breakdowns and provide better support for whichever goalie is in net. As McDavid acknowledged, the team has yet to play its best hockey in the series. The Oilers will need to elevate their game significantly if they hope to even the series and return to Edmonton with a chance to win the Stanley Cup.