Oilers Coach Knoblauch Faces Crucial Choice to Sustain Winning Streak

The Edmonton Oilers have won 16 straight games heading into the All-Star break, and coming out of it, they face some stiff competition, giving Kris Knoblauch an interesting decision.

Can the Oilers pass the record?

When the All-Star break concludes, the Oilers will take on the Vegas Golden Knights with the intention of making it 17 straight wins, but if they get through the defending Champions, Knoblauch is faced with a tough choice.

In that scenario, the Oilers will face the Anaheim Ducks in the first game of a back-to-back, and with the second game being the Los Angeles Kings, Knoblauch will need to decide whether or not Calvin Pickard gets the start in Anaheim.

A solid campaign from Pickard

Historically, Pickard hasn't been a fantastic goalie in the NHL, but in 2023-24 for Edmonton, he has put together a solid 2.34 GAA and a .915 save percentage, meaning he may have the confidence to take on this historic occasion.

However, the more likely thought from Knoblauch is that you need to get to 18 before you can even think about 19, so this will be a test to see whether the young Head Coach will think big picture heading into the potentially record breaking night, or will he trust his veteran backup.

As Read on Oilers Daily - Oilers coach Knoblauch will be forced to make critical decision with win streak on the line