Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen rips Edmonton media!

Things haven't exactly been smooth sailing for the Edmonton Oilers when it comes to the goaltending position this season. Of course, general manager Ken Holland has understandably taken some heat from fans and pundits alike for not doing more to shore up the position, choosing instead to extend the 39 year-old and injury prone Mike Smith for another two seasons.  

Meanwhile, streaky backup Mikko Koskinen and the young and unproven Stuart Skinner have also seen time in Edmonton's crease this season. However, don't expect Koskinen to wilt under the pressure of an increased workload. 

He had words for an Edmonton media member earlier today who asked whether or not he's concerned about fatigue. Take a look at the exchange for yourself: 

Question: “Are you ready and and able to be the stretch drive goalie and play three out of every four games down the stretch and through the playoffs if it comes to that?”

Koskinen: “Yeah, yeah.”

Question: “I don’t know if it’s a question: If you play a whole bunch of games, the fatigue sets in. Is that something that people are reading into that isn’t necessarily the case? Or is it something that has to be proven?”

Koskinen: “I think that’s something where you guys pretty well made up in your heads. And I’m not going to buy that. I’m going to do my thing and go one day at a time. I’m not worried about that.”

Koskinen can certainly feel confident right now following back to back wins over the contending Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning. 

For interim head coach Jay Woodcroft, Koskinen gives his team a chance to win when he's manning the net. 

“I’ve seen goalie who day in, day out, game in game out, gives his team a chance to win,” said Woodcroft, who has no issues with riding him hard down the stretch. “He’s played very well for us lately and we’re going to need him to continue to do that as we push forward.”

Koskinen and the Oilers next take on the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow night at Rogers Place.