The Edmonton Oilers have fallen behind in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final as they head toward Game 6 down 3-2 to the Florida Panthers. They will have some tough decisions to make heading into their next game as they try to save their season and avoid losing to the Panthers for a second straight campaign. Luckily for the Oilers, they have won five of their previous six games when facing elimination and have proven they can play well when their backs are against the wall, but they will need to have their best game of the postseason if they want a chance at dragging the series back to Edmonton for Game 7.
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From their goaltending decision to which players could play with whom in the next game, let’s take a look at some of the possible lineup changes next game.
Who Gets the Pipes: Skinner vs Pickard
The biggest question heading into Game 6 will be who gets the net: Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard? The case can be made for both of them, and it’s going to be a tough decision for the Oilers’ coaching staff to make. Skinner has proven time and time again that he can bounce back well after a tough game, but Pickard’s record in this postseason is hard to ignore despite a rough outing in Game 5.
It’s hard not to give the crease to Skinner for Game 6. His play in the back half of every playoff series throughout his playoff career is hard to ignore, considering he seems to play better as the series moves along, but going back and forth between goaltenders is always risky.
Arvidsson vs Skinner vs Kapanen: Who Plays?
The next question will be which forward comes out? Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, and Kasperi Kapanen have all come in and out throughout the playoffs this season, and one of them will likely be a healthy scratch for Game 6. Arvidsson came in for Kapanen last game and played well, but didn’t touch the score sheet. Skinner has played well at both ends of the ice, but his lack of playoff experience may force head coach Kris Knoblauch to lean toward sitting him out over the other two.
The other option could be to take out Trent Frederic, who has to be dealing with a small injury…
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