Podkolzin has failed to draw into the lineup for Vancouver's first four playoff games and has been sent down to Abottsford (AHL) to receive some playing time. In 19 games with Vancouver this season, the 22-year-old Podkolzin scored two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 10:49 time-on-ice.
The Oilers will unsurprisingly turn back to Skinner between the pipes for Game 3 on Friday despite taking the loss in Game 2. Skinner's stat line in Game 2 left a lot to be desired, as he allowed five goals on just 26 shots enroute to a 5-4 overtime defeat. The Oilers' starting netminder now owns a below-average .857 SV% through his first two games of the 2024 post-season. The sportsbooks do like his chances of rebounding on Friday, however, as the Oilers' enter action as -140 favourites over the Kings.
After an impressive 7-4 victory in game one against the Los Angeles Kings, the Oilers will return to Skinner between the pipes in game two. Skinner was serviceable in game one, saving 33 of 37 shots (.892 SV%) and did not allow a goal until midway through the second period when the game was already out of reach. The Oilers enter action on Wednesday as -183 home favourites.
Janmark was nicked up at the end of the season and was questionable heading into their series with the Kings. Look for him to skate on the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Evander Kane.
Kane revealed on Sunday that he's been dealing with a sports hernia this season and they decided it was best to rest him for the final three games of the regular season. Kane skated on the fourth line in Sunday's practice, so expect him to play a minimal role to begin the series vs. Los Angeles.
The Oilers will roll with Skinner in the crease in their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner lost two of his last three starts (1-2-0), including allowing four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their final game of the season when the Oilers opted to rest their top five offensive contributors on the team. That said, Skinner had a serviceable 2023-24 campaign, posting a 2.62 GAA and .905 SV% in 59 contests (36-16-5). The Oilers enter game one as -165 home favourites.
The Oilers will likely roll with Skinner in the crease in their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner lost two of his last three starts (1-2-0), including allowing four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their final game of the season when the Oilers opted to rest their top five offensive contributors on the team. That said, Skinner had a serviceable 2023-24 campaign, posting a 2.62 GAA and .905 SV% in 59 contests (36-16-5). The Oilers enter game one as -165 home favourites.
Kane revealed on Sunday that he's been dealing with a sports hernia this season and they decided it was best to rest him for the final three games of the regular season. Kane skated on the fourth line in Sunday's practice, so expect him to play a minimal role to begin the series vs. Los Angeles.
Janmark was nicked up at the end of the season and was questionable heading into their series with the Kings. However, his availability for Sunday's practice is a great sign that he'll play in game 1. Look for him to skate on the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Evander Kane.
Kane missed the final three games o f the regular season but if he's able to practice on Sunday, it's likely that he'll be available for game 1 vs. the Kings. It was a bit of a disappointing season for the veteran winger, who finished the season with 44 points (24G / 20A) in 77 games.
Skinner will get the nod in the Oilers' regular season finale on Thursday after Calvin Pickard got the start in Arizona on Wednesday. Skinner picked up the win his last time out, allowing two goals on 21 shots as the Oilers cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Sharks. The 25-year-old netminder rebounded nicely after a poor start to the season, posting a 36-15-5 record and a .907 SV% across 58 appearances. He will have his hands full on Thursday with the Oilers likely resting some key players in Colorado as they finish the season on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Ekholm will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Evan Bouchard, and Connor McDavid will all join him in the press box tonight.
Bouchard will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Connor McDavid, and Mattias Ekholm will all join him in the press box tonight.
Kane will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm will all join him in the press box tonight.
Hyman will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evander Kane, Evan Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm will all join him in the press box tonight.
Nugent-Hopkins will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Evan Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm will all join him in the press box tonight.
Draisaitl will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Evan Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm will all join him in the press box tonight.
McDavid will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Evan Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm will all join him in the press box tonight.
Podkolzin was the 10th overall pick of the Canucks in the 2019 NHL Entry draft and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. He has been limited to 18 games with Vancouver this season, spending most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, scoring 28 points (15G / 13A) in 44 games with the Abbotsford Cancuks.
