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Kris Knoblauch Provides Crucial Injury Updates on Connor Brown, Calvin Pickard, and Mattias Ekholm

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated May 26, 2025 4:20 PM ET

A lot of important injury updates were provided today by Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch involving Connor Brown, Mattias Ekholm, and Calvin Pickard.

Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard took part in his first practice since being injured in his last start against Vegas. Though he finished that game, he hadn't practiced since.

Pickard worked full in practice, taking shots and skating well, showing he's ready to be on the active roster. Head coach Kris Knoblauch called him 'a good possibility' to play as a backup tomorrow night for Game 4.

Even with Pickard's solid playoff performance (6-0, 2.84 GAA, .888 SV%), Stuart Skinner's exceptional play makes it improbable that Pickard will immediately start.

Connor Brown did not skate following his departure from Sunday's game with a heavy, seemingly high hit by Alex Petrovic along the boards. No penalty was issued, but the hit did seem questionable.

Brown, who has five goals and eight points in 14 playoff games, will miss Game 4.

'Connor Brown is out for tomorrow'.
- Kris Knoblauch

Viktor Arvidsson or Jeff Skinner could take Brown's spot for Game 4

Knoblauch made his absence certain, and Oilers play-by-play man Jack Michaels believes Viktor Arvidsson could skate in to take that slot, but there is also a possibility we could see Jeff Skinner who was on the third line practising the other day during Brown's maintenance day.

Mattias Ekholm said he's fine but remains day-to-day for Game 4. Knoblauch confirmed him as in fact being 'day-to-day' and refused to rule out playing 11 forwards and 7 defence.

'I'm happy with my body & the way I feel. Really excited about where the team's at & how they're playing'.
- Mattias Ekholm

Stuart Skinner, Evan Bouchard, and Jake Walman were given maintenance days. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who hit hard into the boards Sunday, practiced Tuesday.

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

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