According to the Edmonton beat writers, Calvin Pickard was absent from the ice at morning skate, with Stuart Skinner taking the starter’s net and Olivier Rodrigue filling in as backup. Needless to say, this was not the news that Edmonton Oilers fans were wanting to hear on the morning of Game 3.
Pickard has been a rock since stepping in for Game 3 against the L.A. Kings. He took the crease and rattled off six straight wins, including a standout performance in Game 2’s overtime victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. His calm presence and timely saves have been a driving force in Edmonton’s playoff push, making his absence at skate a significant concern. Not only was Pickard playing incredibly well, but it also looked like he was inspiring the guys playing in front of him.
Late in Game 2, Tomas Hertl fell on Calvin Pickard in the crease, and you could see that the goalie was dealing with some discomfort in his leg as he tried to shake it out. While our pal Cal went on to finish the game and ultimately close out the win, whatever he was dealing with was clearly more serious post-game when the equipment came off than it was in the moment with the adrenaline still pumping. That’s a tough blow for a guy who was playing so damned well in the unexpected spotlight.
As a result, Stuart Skinner is back in the starter’s role and looking to rebound after the rough outings in Games 1 and 2 against the Los Angeles Kings that saw him give up 11 goals. After taking a backseat to Pickard’s for the last six games, Skinner now faces the challenge of regaining his rhythm at a pivotal point in Edmonton’s playoff push. He’s shown he can handle pressure before — he did make it to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final — but stepping into this momentum won’t be easy.
Kris Knoblauch didn’t shed light on Pickard’s status beyond saying he is day-to-day, leaving us to speculate about the problem. Is it a rest day, a minor issue, or a something more nefarious? Either way, the Oilers have leaned heavily on their backup goaltender over the last two weeks, but now it’s time for Stuart Skinner to step up just like Pickard did for him. For now, fans will be watching Skinner closely, hoping he can keep the team’s momentum alive. With Rodrigue as backup, the crease is in focus with a massive swing game on deck.
Can Stuart Skinner take advantage of his chance to get back in the crease? We’re only a few short hours from finding out.
