Edmonton's goaltending has certainly been a big contributor to the team's 15-5 record, but I am not confident that success will continue. So far this season, the Oilers have averaged almost 4 goals for and 3 goals against per game. On more than one occasion Tippett has mentioned a need to reduce the GA/G, I think he sees what's coming his team's way.

Special teams have allowed the Oilers to cover less than stellar 5v5 scoring to date. In that respect a power play that is scoring at close to 40% has been a blessing, but in a league that encourages officials to "manage the game", a dependence on that great power play may soon become a curse. Its normal for games to tighten up as the season progresses, and for the Oilers this may occur as soon as this week. December brings a tougher schedule than Edmonton has faced so far this season. I anticipate frustrating times ahead for Oiler fans.

Koskinen's statistics this season are better than his career averages, I don't think it is reasonable to expect much more than he has provided to this point. Skinner is a rookie and likely to be sent back to Bakersfield once Mike Smith returns. Smith is a big unknown at this point. He started 3 games before his injury, and his history shows he has been streaky through his career. Clearly he has potential to provide great goaltending, but I expect Ken Holland will make a move if Smith struggles.

If you think the Oilers are going to improve their GA by trading for another goalie, you haven't been paying attention. It's not a goalie problem, it's a defense problem. THAT's where the money and picks need to be spent. There isn't a goalie available that will improve the GA by himself, not one. The defensive play of the team in front is the only thing that can improve GA. There are countless examples, from Markstrom to MAF to Varlamov, that show this.

The problem in Edmonton is partly personnel and partly systems, but bringing in a different goalie (short of Hellebuyck or Vasilevsky) isn't going to solve the problem.