EDMONTON — With their season teetering on the brink, the Edmonton Oilers are making a goalie change.
Calvin Pickard has been tabbed to replace Stuart Skinner as the Oilers’ starter with the team down 2-0 ahead of Game 3 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.
“Calvin’s come in and played some really big games for us dating back to last year,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “We’re in a position where we need to win a game, and we have a lot of confidence in him.”
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Pickard got mop-up duty in Game 2, playing the final 9:30 of the blowout 6-2 defeat. Pickard allowed a goal on the first shot from the Kings by Adrian Kempe before stopping the last two he faced.
That hasn’t been the only time he’s been called upon by the coaching staff in the playoffs.
Pickard played seven straight periods during the second round against the Vancouver Canucks last season. He took over for Skinner in the third frame of Game 3 before starting the next two contests. Pickard allowed five goals on 56 shots over those two starts and got the win in Game 4 to tie the series.
“It definitely helps a little bit,” Pickard said. “We’re almost a year removed from that. Since then, I’ve played some good hockey. I played a bit more than probably I expected to this year, which was awesome. I’m definitely feeling confident going into it.”
Pickard won 22 of his 31 starts this season and posted a .900 save percentage.
“He’s played well all year,” captain Connor McDavid said. “He’s been solid for us, coming in at big moments. He did it last year in the playoffs as well. He’s a guy we have a lot of faith in. I’d expect him to play great tonight.”
The 33-year-old journeyman was the team’s Masterton Trophy nominee from the Edmonton chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for exemplifying perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game.
“He’s been a bright spot for our team all year long,” defenseman Darnell Nurse said. “We have a lot of confidence playing in front of him with his compete and what he brings to our group.”
He started seven of eight games while Skinner was unavailable due to a concussion from March 27 to April 11 and won five of those games.
“It’s been nice to play a decent amount there towards the end of the year,” Pickard said. “Get some big wins against so good teams. It’s an exciting opportunity for me.”
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Pickard supplants Skinner, who allowed 11 goals on 58 shots the first 110:30 of the series. Aside from perhaps the second goal of Game 1, a bank shot from Quinton Byfield, Knoblauch wasn’t willing to blame Skinner for any of Los Angeles’ offense.
It’s clear, however, that the coach wants a bit more out of the position.
“We just need a big performance, some big saves at key times,” Knoblauch said. “Being down 2-0 isn’t only on our goaltender. It’s a team thing.”
(Photo: Walter Tychnowicz / Imagn Images)
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