Woodcroft mum on Oilers' Game 6 starter

Jay Woodcroft isn't tipping his hand about which Edmonton Oilers goaltender will be in the crease to start Game 6 of their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night.

"I'm going to reserve the right to take the time that we have before we have to make that decision," the Oilers head coach said Saturday.

Stuart Skinner has started all 11 playoff games for Edmonton this spring. He owns a .890 save percentage in that span. Woodcroft has pulled him in favor of Jack Campbell three times this postseason, including in a 4-3 loss Friday.

However, Woodcroft praised Skinner and insisted the 24-year-old's performance wasn't a factor in giving Campbell a few opportunities.

"(Skinner has been) very good," Woodcroft said. "He's given us a chance to win ... in those pulls, that was more to either stem the tide of momentum or to try and change something up. Those are on the team, they're not on one individual. So, for us, we're in the position we're in because of the people that we have in the locker room, and we believe the solutions to what we're trying to get done here - the answers - are in the locker room."

Woodcroft also lauded Campbell for his ability to step in when called upon.

"He's someone who's come (on in) relief very well," the bench boss said. "He's done his job, and I think that's a big thing for all players. ... For Jack to come (on in) relief the times he has, he's come in and done his job and been an important member of our group."

Campbell was a prized offseason signing for the Oilers, who inked him to a five-year, $25-million deal last July. The 31-year-old began the campaign as Edmonton's starter, but Skinner snatched the job from him and ran with it by outplaying him in the second half.

The elder netminder also replaced Skinner during a 5-1 loss in Game 3 of this series and a 5-4 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 of their first-round matchup. Campbell has turned aside all but two of 47 shots in these playoffs.

Skinner was voted a Calder Trophy finalist earlier in May. He posted a .914 save percentage during the regular season, going 29-14-5 in 50 games and starting all but two of them. Skinner had never played in the postseason before starting Game 1 against the Kings in April.

The Golden Knights lead the ongoing series 3-2. If necessary, Game 7 would take place Tuesday night.

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