The Edmonton Oilers are facing a pivotal Game 4 in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, and a significant question mark hangs over the team: who will start in goal? After a disappointing 6-1 loss in Game 3, where Stuart Skinner was pulled after allowing five goals on 23 shots, head coach Kris Knoblauch has remained tight-lipped about his goaltending decision. This has led to intense speculation and high praise for backup Calvin Pickard, who could be in line for a crucial start.

Skinner's performance in the series has been inconsistent. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, he has also struggled, posting a save percentage of .866 and a goals-against average of 3.74 through three games. In Game 3, the Panthers relentlessly attacked, and Skinner was unable to stem the tide, leading to his early exit. The crowd in Florida even mockingly chanted "We want Skinner!" as he sat on the bench. Despite the poor numbers, Knoblauch defended Skinner, pointing to defensive breakdowns as a major factor in the loss. "Stu maybe wasn't on his A-game, but our team wasn't on their A-game in front of him," Knoblauch said. "I don't think there's any bad goals, maybe an extra save. But it doesn't matter how well Stu played last night, it wouldn't have made any difference in the game, most likely. I'm not holding anything against Stu on that performance."

Enter Calvin Pickard. Pickard, a veteran goaltender, has been a reliable backup for the Oilers. Although he only played briefly in Game 3, stopping seven of eight shots, his presence provides a sense of calm and experience. There is precedent for Edmonton turning to Pickard. In the first round against the Los Angeles Kings, Pickard replaced Skinner in Game 2 and started Game 3, leading the team to a win and sparking a series comeback.

Knoblauch has acknowledged Pickard's readiness. "Here we've got a goaltender, 'Picks,' who has been pretty good, 6-0 in the playoffs, hasn't played," Knoblauch said. "Whether we use him again, there's a little opportunity for him to get some playing time so when we do use him he's a little more comfortable when he goes in that net. So, I think it's one, allowing 'Picks' some playing time just in case we do need him, choose to use him at a certain point, but also give 'Stu' some time off and not have him play through that circumstance."

The praise for Pickard extends beyond just his on-ice abilities. His teammates and coaches value his work ethic and positive attitude. Pickard's record this season was 22-10-1 with a .900 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.71. "Calvin, you look at his win-loss record, especially after the January first, finds ways to win hockey games, whether we feel better and play better in front of him or just that he comes up with big saves at key times or whatever it is, but he's able to get that win-loss record," Knoblauch said. "It's pretty flattering for him."

Ultimately, the decision of who starts in Game 4 rests with Knoblauch. While Skinner has the potential to be a game-changing goalie, his inconsistency has been a concern. Pickard offers a steady, reliable option, and his past performance suggests he can rise to the occasion. The Oilers need a strong performance in goal to avoid falling into a 3-1 series deficit, and Knoblauch will have to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making his final decision.