The Edmonton Oilers scored a 4-2 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Second Round at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday, May 6. While the Oilers emerged victorious, they’re looking much more fragile than last season, especially in the goaltending department.
Their main goalie, Stuart Skinner, was relegated to the bench after conceding 12 goals in two losses against the Los Angeles Kings. Backup netminder Calvin Pickard has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, battling from the crease in five straight victories for Edmonton.
NHL Analysts Point to Goaltending Vulnerabilities for Oilers
Hockey analysts and commentators have stated that the Oilers’ netminding is a key weak point for them.
Former NHL goalie Carter Hutton talked about the issue during an appearance on Sportsnet’s “590 THE FAN” radio show.
“I don’t think the Edmonton Oilers are lifting a Stanley Cup if Calvin Pickard is their goalie… At some point, you’re going to see Stuart Skinner,” Hutton said on the show.
“I don’t think the Edmonton Oilers are lifting a Stanley Cup if Calvin Pickard is their goalie… At some point, you’re going to see Stuart Skinner.”@CarterHutton4 on #LetsGoOilers goaltending outlook as they kick off Round 2 vs. #VegasBorn with @ailishforfar & @jccuthbert. pic.twitter.com/a7cSuJALtL
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) May 6, 2025
Hutton added that he felt that, despite his current win streak, Pickard was not going to be able to carry the Oilers through the playoff rounds.
“That’s nothing against Calvin, because he’s been unbelievable and he’s been serviceable, but you’re going to get to a point where three or four goals against is not going to get it done,” Hutton added.
He also pointed to the Golden Knights’ dangerous offense and tight defense as probable reasons to put Skinner back between the sticks.
“This is going to be a tough series, and we all know the way that Vegas defends and Jack Eichel (Vegas center) is going to give it,” Hutton said.
Skinner was instrumental in Edmonton reaching the Stanley Cup Finals last season. Per Statmuse, he had a 14-9-0 record in 23 games with a goals against average of 2.45 and a save percentage of .901 in the 2024 playoffs.
Even this season, he would likely have felt that the team’s defense let him down during the losses to the Kings.
Former NHL player and current MSG Network studio analyst Steve Valiquette also laid bare the Oilers’ defensive frailties.
“I think that Edmonton, with what they are allowing against, they are going to have to be the only team that is in NHL history, I think we could say, that is going to have to outscore their defensive deficiencies all the way to the Final.
“I don’t see it happening. I see Vegas taking this series. I think it’s going to be too much for Pickard because Edmonton just isn’t even close to what they were doing defensively last year,” Valiquette said via the Edmonton Journal.