SUNRISE ― Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner was the subject of pre-game mind games from Florida Panthers backup goalie Vitek Vanecek. And it appears to have worked. Just like he did before a Game 3 steamrolling by the Panthers,

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Stuart Skinner was pulled again by the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday.

It’s a 0-0 series right now and you, best-of-3, it’s good. You know, we didn’t expect it to be easy. It shouldn’t be easy.”

Calvin Pickard Sends Stuart Skinner Message After Saving Oilers' Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Edmonton Oilers were in a familiar spot after 20 minutes of Game 4: down three goals to the Florida Panthers, searching for a spark, and once again turning to backup goalie Calvin Pickard.

Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky is over-performing and Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner under-performing. Valiquette said. This suggests Edmonton should likely play Calvin Pickard in Game 4, giving Skinner a chance to reset. Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said today he’s not yet decided which goalie he will play in Game 4.

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Despite back-to-back benchings of Stuart Skinner and two strong relief appearances from Calvin Pickard, head coach Kris Knoblauch has refused to commit to a Game 5 starter in net for the Oilers, leaving the door open for both possibilities.

The Oilers' nightmare scenario in NHL free agency could see them struggle to retain the best player in the world while losing a lot of depth.