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 Adam
Messages: 7757
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB
6 Cups
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It's hard to look past goaltending the last couple of games. We outplayed and outshot the opposition badly, but one to two weak goals a game is a killer, especially when the other team is getting decent netminding.
The Oilers just aren't getting enough saves. I've heard people say that Pickard has been good for us - he's 13-4 - so maybe he's an adequate backup? But A) look at who we've played in those games. He hasn't faced a lot of playoff-bound teams. And B) his save percentage is .901, just behind Skinner's .902. When we hit the playoffs, I don't think anyone should have a lot of faith that Pickard's going to be able to steal us a round or two... and even if Skinner doesn't falter (which we've seen him do the last two years in the post-season), he could get hurt forcing the back-up in to action. We need to upgrade here.
These two have provided merely adequate netminding for the Oilers this year. The defence has done a great job limiting chances, and while maybe a little underwhelming at 9th highest, the offence has done a lot of its job.
Goaltending is the glaring weakness, which is troubling because we've seen that win and lose series for teams in the past. We've seen Skinner play some great hockey, but it's so sporadic, and when he's bad, it's often really bad.
I hope the Oilers brass have been paying attention the last couple of games and are looking at options. There's no perfect solution right now, but standing pat is asking for trouble.
"Thinking that a bad team's best players are the reason the team is bad is the "Tambellini re-signing Lennart Petrell" of sports opinions." @Woodguy55
#FireBobbyNicks
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