Goaltending is often seen as a crucial element in hockey, yet sportsbooks appear to miscalculate its influence on game outcomes. For instance, the Edmonton Oilers have shown inconsistency in performance when Stuart Skinner starts, achieving only a 16-16 record as favorites, and a dismal 9-23 against the spread. Conversely, Calvin Pickard, Skinner's backup, leads the Oilers to a 12-3 record on the moneyline when he takes the lead, suggesting a significant misvaluation of Skinner's impact on betting lines.

The findings indicate that betting against the Oilers when Skinner is in net could be a savvy strategy, as the team has only covered three times when underdogs with him starting. As the Oilers prepare to face the St. Louis Blues, the decision on which goaltender to deploy could have a substantial betting implication.