I’m going with Skinner for Game 6

As a former goalie and also a goalie coach, Skinner should get the start for Game 6 over Pickard.

Breaking this down why:

Pickard has not been tracking the puck well this game. There have been several soft goals. There have been some lack of technical fundamentals that can signify you aren’t fully in it and locked in. Goal 3 against Marchand was weak. Not square, lack of stick discipline (a recurring issue with Pickard), and not sealing the ice which stick discipline plays into this. Goal 4, although it was a screen and it was a tough goal, there was a breakdown fundamentally from a goaltending perspective. For one, Pickard was not tracking the puck at all, he lost sight and tracking. This was evident during the play, you could visibly see he was “lost” and it was clear by his reaction. As a goalie you are taught from a young age to fight for the puck, this is ducking and dipping around to always maintain visual with the puck. It’s extra work and can be tiring, when you’re tired and “out of it” fundamentals like this are left behind. Goal or not, Pickard was not fighting for the puck to maintain visual and he lost tracking as a result.

From a Skinner standpoint, he played well in Game 4 despite the 3 goal first period. He made some incredible desperation saves and was tracking the puck well. He was left out to dry by his team in the first period. A goalie change was needed to send a shock through the team that things needed to change. Also, Skinner is the guy. He’s been the guy for the Oilers these two back to back Finals runs. You best believe he just like the other guys want redemption. Putting him back in net for Game 6 and saying you got Game 7 as well. It’s yours. As a goalie that opportunity (again) you don’t take lightly.

Turns out as I was writing this, Boucher said the same thing on the US telecast that he goes with Skinner in Game 6.