Arturs Silovs and Stuart Skinner have competed for playing time in a postseason series before.
The victor would go on and start more games, whereas the other saw his playing time evaporate.
To be certain, they weren’t teammates at the time. They were opponents.
And in 2024, Skinner’s Edmonton Oilers defeated Silovs’ Vancouver Canucks, 3-2, in Game 7 of a second-round series to advance to the Western Conference final en route to the Stanley Cup Final.
“It was a tight series the whole way around,” Skinner said. “Arty came in, and he kind of stole the show. He had celebrities wearing his jersey. It was just a fun series overall. Vancouver was an incredibly loud barn. Edmonton was a very loud barn. It was just a fun series overall.”
Even with the loss, Silovs’ recollections of that series are pleasant, as well.
“They had a really good team,” Silovs said. “There was a lot of offensive power there, especially when they had power plays. It was like deadly, so you had to be very careful. It went to Game 7. We tried our best. Some bounces didn’t go our way.
“It was a great time. A great time, for sure.”
Today, both goaltenders are members of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and no one knows which one of them will be the team’s starter when their team opens the Stanley Cup playoffs Saturday with a home game against the rival Philadelphia Flyers.
To be certain, no one who isn’t an employee of the Penguins knows. And if they do, they aren’t sharing that information. At least not until Saturday.
“Both guys are a big part of why we’re here today and preparing for Game 1,” coach Dan Muse said. “And both guys have won huge games.
“We get in (Saturday) and let you know.”
There is plenty to suggest Skinner is the preferred choice, considering he was given a handful of starts in consecutive games in the final weeks of a regular season in which the team largely platooned starts in net.
And given that Skinner guided the Oilers to the last two Stanley Cup Finals, he certainly has the more spectacular resume of the two choices.
“The experience that I have gotten has been extremely valuable. Just going into the first round, going in playing against (Philadelphia), there’s an understanding of how it works, the feelings that go in the playoffs, the emotions, the emotional roller coaster,” Skinner said. “So, being able to go through it and get a lot of games in … a lot of, obviously, high-end games with the (Stanley Cup Finals), with all that, I’ve learned so much about myself and I’ve learned from my past experiences what it really looks like, really feels like being in it.”
Though Silovs, who still qualifies as a rookie, has never been to a Stanley Cup Final, he does have something Skinner doesn’t have.
A championship ring.
Last season, with Vancouver’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, Silovs went on a torrid run in the postseason, leading that club to the Calder Cup and winning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as MVP of that league’s playoffs.
In 24 playoff games last spring, Silovs had a 16-7 record, a 2.01 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage and five shutouts.
“I think I’ve been pretty strong in the playoffs, just in general,” said Silovs, a native of Latvia. “Even (international tournaments for his country). It’s always so much fun to play these big events, just trying to give it your all.”
Their resumes are a bit different. And while are both popular with teammates, they have divergent presences in the dressing room. For example, Skinner is a poker player, and Silovs enjoys video games.
“(Skinner is) so down to earth, chill, mature,” defenseman Connor Clifton said. “Arty is definitely a lot more quiet but also a great personality.”
Even with those variances, one sentiment is consistently projected by their teammates.
“Whoever starts or whatever it is, I know both goalies are ready,” defenseman Ryan Shea said. “Whenever the time comes, they’ll be at their best.”
For their part, both goaltenders indicated, following practice Friday in Cranberry, that they have not been told who will start Game 1.
But both are confident they can meet the challenge if called upon.
“We’re just being like two pillars trying to hold the net as best we can,” Silovs said. “We made (the) playoffs. It’s a new page and a new chapter to write.”
It remains to be seen how that tale will open Saturday.
“No matter what way we go, you’re going to have a good team, you’re going to have good goalies, you’re going to have a good opportunity to win every single series,” Skinner said. “No matter what the lineup may look like, no matter who’s starting between me and Arty, you’re going to get some guys who know how to win some games.”
Notes: The Penguins terminated the contract of defenseman Matt Dumba on Friday after he cleared waivers. … Rookie defenseman Jake Livanavage, whom the team signed to a two-year entry-level contract beginning with the current season April 10, will remain with the team for the duration of the postseason but is not eligible to play in any games. Additionally, as he is not eligible for any postseason contests with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, he will continue to practice and work out with the NHL club for the time being.