From The Silky Mitten State: In theory, Edmonton should be feasting on a third-string goaltender. In practice, the Oilers have inferior goaltending to Vancouver, jeopardizing their Cup dreams
If I told you a second round Stanley Cup Playoff series were being contested by one team using its third goaltender and another using its normal starter, I know which one you'd expect to be in command, but the western Canadian tussle between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks isn't sticking to that script.
May 12, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs (31) makes a save on on Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place
© Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
The Canucks are on third goaltender Arturs Silovs, who played all of four NHL games this season. The Oilers have normal starter Stuart Skinner at their disposal. Vancouver leads the series two games to one, and there is perhaps no bigger distinction between the two sides than the discrepancy between Silovs' play and Skinner's. Edmonton also appears poised to turn to backup Calvin Pickard for tonight's Game 4 after a troublesome Game 3 on home ice.
On the latest episode of The Silky Mitten State (recorded only after Game 1), my co-host Connor Earegood and I discussed the goaltending battle in this series and the simple fact that the team with the number three goaltender appears to have an edge in net. It's a fact the Oilers (who declined to add a netminder at the trade deadline) and their fans will rue all summer should they prove unable to find a way out of this series.
