Martin Biron has seen enough. From his view, Stuart Skinner gives the Oilers their best chance to survive and thrive in Game 6
While Calvin Pickard has filled in admirably, Game 5 raised red flags, and the moment now calls for a seasoned return to form.
With the Stanley Cup hanging in the balance, all eyes are on Edmonton’s crease. Will the Oilers follow Biron’s advice? Game 6 could be remembered for decades—not just for the goals scored, but for the goalie chosen.
As Martin Biron aptly observed, his absence led to a cascade of lineup changes, eroded chemistry, and ultimately stunted the Oilers’ playoff aspirations.
In a league where momentum and familiarity matter more than most fans realize, losing one key player can unravel months of progress.
The Oilers found that out the hard way. As they regroup for next season, they’ll need more than just a healthy Hyman — they’ll need a plan for sustaining chemistry through adversity.
Because when the stakes are high and the spotlight is bright, consistency isn’t a luxury — it’s the difference between winning and wondering what went wrong.
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Martin Biron Backs Oilers’ Go-To Goalie for Game 6
When it comes to critical playoff decisions, goaltending often becomes the focus of heated debate.1
That’s exactly what’s happening ahead of Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Final, as the Edmonton Oilers face a pivotal moment in their quest for glory.
Former NHL goaltender Martin Biron weighed in during the June 16 episode of “First Up with Korolnek & Colaiacovo,” offering a firm opinion: Stuart Skinner is the right choice.
Below, we explore Biron’s reasoning, the current goaltending situation, and why Skinner may be the Oilers’ best shot at a championship.
That’s awesome Jim!!! I was just talking about Kreider on @SabresLive !!!!! https://t.co/9oQg5NsWT6
— Martin Biron (@martybiron43) June 11, 2025
Team Confidence and Locker Room Dynamics
Goaltending isn’t just about stats; it’s also about confidence and chemistry.
Biron subtly touched on this when he said Skinner is “your number one goaltender.” That label means more than just skill—it affects how the team in front of the goalie performs.
Players often rally differently when their recognized starter returns to the net. Skinner has been the Oilers’ starter all season, and the team’s systems and defensive tendencies are more aligned with his style.
Reinstating him in Game 6 may give the squad a mental boost and bring more balance to their game.
Martin Biron’s Endorsement of Stuart Skinner
Martin Biron left no room for ambiguity in his take on the Oilers’ goaltending conundrum.2
Despite some struggles from Skinner earlier in the postseason, Biron believes the 26-year-old netminder is Edmonton’s clear number one.
“There’s no doubt for me…He (Skinner) is your number one goaltender. He is better than Calvin Pickard, in my opinion,” Biron said on-air.
The timing of Biron’s endorsement is significant. With the Oilers on the brink and needing a strong performance to force Game 7, his support of Skinner over Pickard carries weight—especially given Biron’s own goaltending background.
Calvin Pickard’s Playoff Journey and Game 5 Collapse
Calvin Pickard emerged as a valuable backup option throughout the playoffs. The 33-year-old helped Edmonton advance with reliable performances and posted an impressive 7-1 record heading into Game 5.
However, things unraveled in that crucial contest.
Pickard gave up four goals on just 18 shots, leading to a disappointing loss to the Florida Panthers. The performance raised immediate concerns, particularly as this was a high-stakes game with major implications.
Biron acknowledged Pickard’s solid contributions but pointed out that Game 5 revealed limitations:
“I expected either a stronger performance from Pickard or a better effort from the Oilers. But neither happened.”
This game shifted Biron’s stance, prompting him to rethink who should be in net for Game 6.
Skinner’s Resilience and Past Playoff Turnarounds
While Skinner’s postseason performance hasn’t been perfect, his ability to bounce back under pressure stands out.
Biron emphasized Skinner’s resilience and noted that he had previously recovered from losing the starting job earlier in the playoffs—against the LA Kings.
More impressively, Skinner played a vital role in last year’s playoff run. After early struggles, he helped Edmonton win three straight games (Games 4, 5, and 6) to force a decisive Game 7.
His ability to stay mentally focused and physically sharp after setbacks is a trait not every goalie possesses.
Biron believes the recent break may rejuvenate Skinner and allow him to return with a sharper edge.
Comparing Goaltending Styles and Skill Sets
Another important element in the conversation is the contrasting styles of Skinner and Pickard. While Pickard relies heavily on positional play and staying compact, Skinner brings more dynamism and athleticism to the crease.
Skinner’s strengths include:
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Quicker lateral movement
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Better puck-handling ability
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Confidence under pressure
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Experience in high-stakes games
On the other hand, Pickard has been solid in limiting rebounds and making the simple saves, but his ceiling is not as high as Skinner’s when both are at their best. That potential upside could be critical in a must-win situation.
Martin Biron’s Evolving Perspective on the Situation
Interestingly, Biron admitted that he initially supported Pickard starting Game 5.3
He, like many others, saw Pickard’s recent success and believed it was worth riding the hot hand. But that opinion changed after watching how things unfolded.
“Before Game 5, I thought they should go with Pickard and ride him the rest of the way. But after that game, I changed my mind.”
This shows that even seasoned analysts can revise their takes based on real-time performances. Biron’s openness to change reflects how fluid playoff hockey decisions can be—and how one night can alter everything.
The Stakes of Game 6: Why the Oilers Must Get It Right
Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final isn’t just another game—it’s potentially season-defining. With the Oilers facing elimination, the goaltender must be someone who not only plays well but thrives under pressure.
Biron sees Skinner as that player.
He pointed to Skinner’s track record of rebounding from adversity and argued that he is in peak form—something not necessarily obvious from his recent benching, but more apparent to someone evaluating body language, effort in practice, and historical performance.
The Oilers will need a goalie who can steal momentum, make key saves early, and maintain focus when Florida inevitably turns up the heat.
Fans and Experts Divided, but Decision Must Be Final
Not everyone agrees with Biron, and that’s expected. Goaltending is often the most scrutinized and controversial topic in hockey.
Pickard’s 7-1 playoff record has many fans advocating for him to stay in net, especially given Skinner’s mid-playoff dip.
However, Biron’s perspective is rooted in understanding what makes a goaltender ready for the biggest moments—not just based on numbers, but on mental fortitude, past comebacks, and raw skill.
In playoff hockey, loyalty can matter as much as logic. And the Oilers may ultimately need to decide not just who’s hot, but who’s homegrown, trusted, and battle-tested.
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Zach Hyman’s Absence: Catalyst for Chaos in Edmonton
Zach Hyman, one of the most important players on the Edmonton Oilers’ roster, suffered a season-ending injury during the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars.
The timing couldn’t have been worse — the Oilers were in the middle of a playoff run, and losing Hyman left a noticeable void in their forward group.
Hyman underwent surgery in May and was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs. The implications were immediate and far-reaching.
As former NHL goaltender and current analyst Martin Biron emphasized, Hyman’s absence didn’t just affect the scoring chart — it unraveled the cohesion the Oilers had built throughout the regular season. “The lineup is never set,” Biron said. “There’s no consistency in the lineup… no chemistry.”
Hyman’s Impact: More Than Just Goals
Zach Hyman wasn’t merely a reliable scorer — he was a relentless worker on the forecheck, a puck hound, and a high-energy presence who created space for superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
He had a career year before his injury, netting over 50 goals and becoming a vital piece on the top line and power play unit.
Hyman’s value went beyond stats. His tireless effort set the tone for the team.
He was the guy who did the dirty work in the corners and made intelligent plays along the boards. Without him, the Oilers lost one of their emotional leaders — a player whose presence kept the team’s structure intact.
Martin Biron: Line Juggling: The Chemistry Killer
Martin Biron’s analysis zeroes in on an overlooked yet critical part of team performance: chemistry.
Since Hyman’s injury, the Oilers coaching staff has been forced to shuffle lines in search of the right mix. But each change has come at the cost of familiarity and synergy.
“Every game, there’s a new combination,” Biron noted. “You don’t know who you’re going to play with, and that affects your start, your rhythm.” When players can’t build consistency with linemates, passes go awry, timing is off, and offensive flow suffers.
Hockey, more than many sports, relies heavily on intuition and timing. Skaters need to know where their teammates are without looking. That instinct is developed through repetition — something Edmonton hasn’t had the luxury of post-Hyman.
A Slow Start Epidemic
One of the key symptoms of the Oilers’ disrupted chemistry has been their sluggish starts. Biron highlighted this pattern, noting that the team often finds itself on the back foot early in games.
When you can’t rely on your lines and are unsure of your role, it’s hard to hit the ice with confidence and purpose.
This slow-start trend is especially damaging in the playoffs, where momentum shifts quickly and early deficits can be demoralizing.
For the Oilers, falling behind has forced them to expend more energy chasing games — a recipe for burnout over a long series.
McDavid and Draisaitl: The Fallout Effect
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two of the league’s premier offensive talents, have felt the ripple effects of Hyman’s injury.
Without a steady presence on their wings, both stars have had to adjust — often playing with different linemates from period to period.
The lack of a dependable option like Hyman has hampered their ability to fully impose themselves on games.
McDavid thrives when paired with a player who can match his pace and anticipate his moves. Draisaitl similarly needs someone who can create space for his laser-like one-timers. Hyman was that guy.
The revolving door of linemates has left both players isolated at times, and though they’ve still produced, the Oilers have lacked the layered attack they showed during the regular season.
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Coaching Dilemmas: Band-Aids, Not Solutions
Head coach Kris Knoblauch has faced a challenging dilemma since Hyman’s injury. He’s experimented with multiple combinations, moving players up and down the lineup in a desperate bid to reignite the team’s spark.
But Biron rightly points out that these patchwork solutions have failed to restore any long-term rhythm.
When you’re constantly trying to fill a void with temporary fixes, you risk destabilizing not just the top line, but the entire forward group.
Players become hesitant, unsure of their role or their partner’s tendencies. It creates a mental and tactical fog — and that’s where the Oilers have been trapped.
The Psychological Toll
Injuries affect more than just the ice time and performance of the missing player — they affect the mindset of the team.
Hyman was a calming influence and a gritty competitor who led by example. His absence removed a source of confidence and predictability.
Biron’s comments point to a broader issue — the Oilers look mentally fatigued. Constant change, lack of structure, and disappointing results take a toll.
When players feel like nothing is working, and the coaching staff has to keep tweaking, it creates a sense of instability that can spiral downward.
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