Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch makes his opinion clear about team's belief in Stuart Skinner after humiliating 9-1 loss to Avalanche

The Edmonton Oilers lost 9-1 to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. Goaltender Stuart Skinner started the game but was pulled in the second period. He allowed four goals on 13 shots before being replaced by Calvin Pickard.

Pickard stopped 16 of 21 shots in relief but also struggled. He has a record of 2-2-1 with a goals-against average of 4.00 and an .836 save percentage. And starting goalie, Skinner now has a 4-4-3 record with a 2.81 GAA and a .889 save percentage.

This points to a big concern for the struggling Oilers, whose record has dropped to 6-6-4. Both goalies will need to perform better in order to help the Oilers win and improve their start to the 2025-26 season.

After the game, head coach Kris Knoblauch was asked about the team losing belief in its goaltending. He paused for a second and said [3:00],

"I don’t believe so. There have been games where our goaltending has been good. The amount and quality of chances we’ve given up hasn’t helped. I see bigger issues than just goaltending."

It is not the first time that the Oilers have faced struggles during the start of the season. Last season, they were 8-7-1 after the first 16 games and 5-10-1 in the year before that. They have still made it to the Stanley Cup finals in both those seasons. Still, it's a worry for the team that has lost twice in the finals.

Knoblauch has urged that the whole team must be better.

"Hopefully, tonight is rock bottom," Knoblauch said. "I hope it wakes up a lot of guys. We’ve got a lot of growing to do to become the team we expect to be."

Edmonton is currently sitting tied for fifth in the Pacific Division, and they have lost three straight games. Their power play is strong at 33.3 percent, but defense and goaltending remain inconsistent. They have allowed 3.44 goals per game so far.

Analyst predicts Oilers GM's next goalie move

Earlier, TSN reporter Ryan Rishaug said general manager Stan Bowman could make a goalie trade if one becomes available. Bowman will watch Skinner closely under new goalie coach Peter Aubry. If Skinner does not improve by December or January, changes may come.

"If, by December, January, it doesn't look like Skinner's ready to take a step, and it isn't very clear he's made improvements," Rishaug said on Oilers Now on 880 CHED. "... [Bowman] He's going to have no choice."

The team’s next game is Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They will then begin a seven-game road trip, starting with Philadelphia.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar