Edmonton Oilers Expected To Make A Controversial Lineup Change For Game 1 Against The Vegas Golden Knights

After a rough start to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers found their way, winning four straight games to solidify their fourth straight series victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

Perhaps the biggest change for this team was turning to Calvin Pickard in net, and while he wasn't perfect, he tallied a perfect 4-0 record in that time while posting a very respectable 2.93 GAA.

However, ahead of their matchup with the Pacific Division Champion Vegas Golden Knights in round two, the team are looking to make a change, as all signs currently point to the team going back to Stuart Skinner as the starter for Game One.

Clearly the team see Skinner as the one with the higher overall ceiling, but after allowing 6.11 goals per game against LA in two outings along with an .810 save percentage, the choice should be absolutely clear for this team moving forward.

That's the sentiment echoed by fans in the comments as well, and while no one would have believed at the start of the year that Pickard gives them the better chance to win, at this point, there's no justifying the move back to Skinner.

Ultimately, this is going to be a major challenge for the Oilers regardless, but after finding their form in Game's 3-6, they've clearly figured things out, so now this huge decision on goaltending could eventually be the difference between a deep run again in 2025 or a disappointing second-round flame out.