Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Edmonton Oilers Announce Goaltending Change After Injury Suffered By Calvin Pickard

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated May 10, 2025 2:09 PM ET

The Oilers have a 2-0 series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights, but they'll be making a switch in the crease after an injury to the undefeated Calvin Pickard.

Following a disastrous opening 2 games of the Western Conference Quarter Finals against the Los Angeles Kings, the Edmonton Oilers replaced Stuart Skinner with Calvin Pickard; the move paid immediate dividends.

Pickard led the Oilers to 6 straight victories, including 4 straight over the Kings, to once again beat them in Round 1. He and the Oilers now enjoy a 2-0 series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Semifinal.

But Pickard's run is coming to an end, at least for now. Because of an apparent injury that he suffered in their 5-4 OT win in Game 2 at T-Mobile Arena, the Oilers have announced that Skinner will be returning to the crease for tonight's Game 3 in Edmonton.

Skinner was in the starter's crease during this morning's skate, while Pickard did not participate; Olivier Rodrigue took reps as the backup.

All that Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch would offer to reporters is that Pickard is considered day-to-day and that there weren't any other specifics.

Pickard had previously matched a franchise record held by Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr, winning his first 5 games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The responsibilities now fall on Skinner, who didn't do much to inspire confidence in the fans early on.

So far in the postseason, Skinner is 0-2 with a 6.11 GAA and a .810 SV%. He did help lead the Oilers to within a victory of what would have been their 1st Stanley Cup victory since 1990 last spring, losing a heartbreaking 7-game series to the Florida Panthers.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: