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Oilers Reveal Big Injury Update on Calvin Pickard Before WCF

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated May 17, 2025 4:21 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers advanced to the Western Conference Final after taking down the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Edmonton made quick work of Vegas and is now awaiting the winner of the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets series.

But ahead of the start of the conference final, the Oilers have revealed a big injury update on goalie Calvin Pickard. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch provided the latest update.

“Probably not when the series starts, but I would think probably sometime in the same timeline as Ekholm, sometime during the series,” Knoblauch said. “Certainly not Game 1, but sometime in the middle.”

If the Oilers can get Pickard back for this series, it could be huge for them. Pickard suffered an injury during Game 2 against the Golden Knights and has been out since.

Veteran Stuart Skinner took over for Pickard, helping the team advance past Vegas. But if Pickard is healthy, he could be given the starting role back again.

Pickard went undefeated as the Oilers' goalie during the postseason this year, going 6-0 in his starts. Edmonton would have a tough decision to make if Pickard is made available.

Skinner has seen an up-and-down playoff run, with him having some major lows in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings. But Skinner was excellent against the Golden Knights, including posting two straight shutouts to end the series.

This is a great problem for the Oilers to have, and they will have to wait for more concrete information to make the decision.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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