A concerning report on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins from the Oilers today

UPDATE: Despite missing practice earlier today, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins WILL be in the lineup for Game 6 this evening.

Crisis averted.

Read below for our earlier report from the OIlers' game-day skate.

The Edmonton Oilers were forced to wait to take the ice for today's Game 6 gameday skate in Sunrise, Florida due to... well... mind games, really.

Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe refused to leave the ice and stayed out on his own shooting pucks shut to delay the start of the Oilers' ice-time.

That's some top notch mental warfare, you've got to love it. Old time hockey, baby!

Some other notes from practice today, it appears that the Oilers will turn to Stuart Skinner for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final this evening.

In a concerning development though, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was NOT on the ice for the gameday skate, bringing into question his availability for Game 6 tonight.

Read below for our earlier report on the Oilers' goaltending situation.

The Edmonton Oilers officially have their backs up against the wall.

The Oilers have a chance to even the Stanley Cup Final tomorrow evening in Sunrise, Florida. The also have the chance to lose the Stanley Cup to the Florida Panthers for the second season in a row. Again... backs up against the wall.

Win and you have a chance at the Stanley Cup on home ice. Lose and your season is over.

The stakes can't get any higher.

So... who starts in net?

Calvin Pickard or Stuart Skinner?

Coach Kris Knoblauch was asked this question earlier today and gave a somewhat surprising answer. Knoblauch told reporters that he'll first chat with players, coaches and management staff before making up his mind on Game 6's starter.

I've got to say... that's a pretty surprising development.

At this point, I think that the Oilers are leaning toward going back to Skinner. I subscribe to the "win and you're in" format and Pickard failed to win in Game 5. In my mind, that means next man up gets a shot.

Redemption time for Skinner?

What do you think Oilers fans?