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Kris Knoblauch Makes Crucial Call on Game 5 Starter and Shocks Fans With Troy Stecher Decision


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Daniel Lucente
June 13, 2025  (1:27 PM)
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Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch smiles as he speaks to the media
Photo credit: YouTube

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch has declined to name a Game 5 starter as of now, and he also shockingly revealed that Troy Stecher was benched during the game.

Ahead of what shapes up to be a decisive Game 5 as the Stanley Cup Final returns to Edmonton on Saturday evening, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is keeping his cards close to his chest, declining to name a starting goalie or confirm any lineup changes.
The Oilers made a come-from-behind, dramatic comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the first period and won Game 4, 5-4 in overtime on Leon Draisaitl's goal.
Stuart Skinner was removed after the weak start, and Calvin Pickard was inserted for the second period, registering 22 saves on 23 shots.
Edmonton struck back with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Vasily Podkolzin's goals in the second, then stole a late advantage on Jake Walman's third-period marker.
But with 20 seconds left, Florida's Sam Reinhart evened it, forcing the game into overtime, before Draisaitl played hero. With the emotional win, Knoblauch still does not know if Skinner or Pickard will take the ice for Game 5.
"Both goalies have been really good and key for us to getting here," said Knoblauch on Friday. "Stu, since Picks' injury, came in, played some really good games. The Vegas series, Dallas series. Any time we haven't been strong in front of him, it's unfortunate like last night in the first period, we weren't our best, and it puts the goalie in a vulnerable position and as a coach, we make that switch.

"Picks comes in and makes some huge saves so it's nice that we've got a nice tandem that they're going back and forth. Each one of them has been really solid for us.

"We need to play better in front of whoever is in net."

Troy Stecher was benched, not injured

He also addressed defenceman Troy Stecher, confirming that it was a coaching decision, and not due to an injury. Stecher played a mere 4:18 in his first-series game, replacing John Klingberg.
The 31-year-old skated in seven playoff games for Edmonton this season, averaging 14:17 of ice time per contest.
Klingberg, 32, was scratched following a minus-3 in the Oilers' 6-1 loss in Game 3. He has a goal and four points in 18 playoff games with an average of over 19 minutes per night. The series stands at 2-2 heading into Game 5 in Edmonton.
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Kris Knoblauch Makes Crucial Call on Game 5 Starter and Shocks Fans With Troy Stecher Decision

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