Is Calvin Pickard Playing Tonight? Oilers HC Provides Latest on Goalie’s Status for Game 3

The Edmonton Oilers announced Saturday, May 10, that goaltender Calvin Pickard is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Stuart Skinner will make just his third start of this postseason in Game 3 of the Western Conference semi-finals against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Place.

Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch Provides Injury Update on Calvin Pickard

Skinner’s last start came in Game 2 of the Oilers’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers pulled him in the third period after giving up five goals on 28 shots.

“Obviously, it’s not the situation we want to be in, but that’s playoffs,” Skinner said after Saturday’s morning skate. “You need two goalies to normally go all the way, so I’m excited to get back in the net. I’ve had some time to work on some things, and I’m ready to go.”

Pickard started the next six playoff games, all of which Edmonton won. The 33-year-old has posted a 2.84 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage this postseason.

He was reportedly injured in the third period of Game 2 on Thursday, May 8, when Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl fell over his left leg. Pickard stayed in the game and finished with 28 saves.

On Saturday, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Pickard would not play in Game 3.

Pickard listed as “day to day” by Knoblauch https://t.co/79dDlCSYRR

— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec)

“We’re expecting [Skinner] to come in and deliver what he’s done before,” Knoblauch told NHL.com. “He was in the situation last year after having a little break in the Vancouver series, and came back and was a solid goaltender throughout that series and throughout the rest of the playoffs. I think he’s ready, and we’re going to go from that.”

The Oilers won the first two games of the series against the Golden Knights and can take a 3-0 lead at home. On May 8, Edmonton center Leon Draisaitl scored the overtime winner to seal a 5-4 victory on the road.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid set up the goal with a slick move around Jack Eichel at the blue line, creating a two-on-one. He fed the puck to Draisaitl, who beat Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill with a one-timer.

“When you have elite talent, those game breakers, they just need a moment or an opportunity to make that play. You saw it tonight,” Knoblauch said. “Tonight, when we needed them most, they made a heck of a play there.”

With Skinner back in the net and the Oilers holding momentum, Edmonton looks to take complete control of the series at home and move one step closer to the Western Conference Final.