The Edmonton Oilers finally got in the win column with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. The score looked nice, but that wasn’t what got people talking. It was the man between the pipes, a face other than Stuart Skinner’s.
Did the Oilers Send a Subtle Message About Stuart Skinner?
Head coach Kris Knoblauch turned to Calvin Pickard instead of Stuart Skinner Saturday night, calling it a “scheduled start.” But that explanation didn’t quite convince everyone. Oilers fans are used to reading between the lines, and many wondered if it was more than just load management.
Knoblauch told reporters he didn’t want Pickard sitting for too long. “It’s been over a week for Calvin to play this game,” he said. “If we would have put it off, it gets pretty long. So it’s more of a schedule thing.” Still, plenty of chatter suggested the move might’ve carried a message about accountability after the team’s rough start.
Skinner had a tough outing in the opener against Calgary. Edmonton blew a 3-0 lead and lost in a shootout to Calgary, not the kind of start anyone wanted. The loss stirred up the same questions about the Oilers’ goaltending. Fans have seen this movie before and weren’t shy about saying so online.
Pickard, on the other hand, looked steady. He stopped 14 of 15 shots and only let one past him, a third-period wrister from Brock Boeser. Edmonton dominated most of the night, outshooting Vancouver 37-15.
EDM 3, VAN 1
Philp: 1G
Mangiapane: 1G
Draisaitl: 1G1A: Kapanen, Podkolzin, McDavid, Nurse
Pickard: 14/15 — first win of the new campaign. #Oilers
— Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) October 12, 2025
But this wasn’t the only storyline in Edmonton — Noah Philp got his first NHL goal, Andrew Mangiapane scored in his 500th game, and Leon Draisaitl buried the empty-netter to close it out.
The reaction online was instant. “I LOOOOVEEEE YOU CALVIN PICKARD,” one fan posted, thrilled with the win over the Canadian rivals.
I LOOOOVEEEE YOU CALVIN PICKARD pic.twitter.com/miE4e6rbCz
— • . maddie 𝜗𝜚 ⋆⁺₊ ⋆🪶 (@luv4desharnais) October 12, 2025
While another joked, “F*** so Pickard is actually in fact better than Stuart Skinner, eh? That’s crazy.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following post contains profanity. Viewer’s discretion is advised.
Fuck so Pickard is actually in fact better than Stuart Skinner eh?
Thats crazy.
— nWo (@NewWorldOilers) October 12, 2025
While some were joking, others were serious about his performance. “Pickard was great tonight! I’m like a proud mother right now💙🧡,” One fan said.
Pickard was great tonight !
I’m like a proud mother right now💙🧡#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/UfK39DVXQd— sharfromthecape (@sharfromthecape) October 12, 2025
Some fans pointed out that Pickard just looked calmer, something the Oilers could use more of right now.
As one fan puts it, “The Oilers are a better team with Pickard in net. Not sure how many times we have to say it.”
Oilers are a better team with Pickard in net. I’m not sure how many times we have to say it/experience it until we realize Skinner needs to go #LetsGoOilers
— Dr Dave (@drdaveYT) October 12, 2025
That kind of talk might be over the top, but it shows where the fan base stands: hopeful about Pickard, uneasy about Skinner.
Skinner Faces Early Pressure to Rebound
Knoblauch downplayed any goalie controversy afterward, saying both would get their chances. However, TSN’s Ryan Rishaug noted that if Skinner doesn’t settle in soon, Edmonton could explore other options in net.
The Oilers now head out for a five-game road swing that starts Tuesday against the Rangers. No word yet on who gets the next start. If Pickard gets the nod again, it may not feel like a simple rotation anymore. Whatever happens next, one thing’s clear that Edmonton’s season will go only as far as the crease can carry it.
