The Edmonton Oilers won six consecutive games to close out their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings and race out to a 2-0 lead in the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights. Veteran netminder Calvin Pickard started all six of those contests and helped turn the Oilers’ Stanley Cup hopes around.

So, it didn’t bode well for Edmonton when the Oilers announced that Stuart Skinner would man the crease in Game 3 against the Golden Knights. Pickard sustained an undisclosed injury in Game 2 and is listed as day-to-day with the injury, forcing Skinner back in goal. The injury possibly occurred after Vegas winger Tomas Hertl fell on Pickard’s leg in the third period of the latest contest. Still, the organization did not confirm the exact nature or origin, and Pickard has taken a few bumps over his six starts.

The results speak for themselves as Skinner dropped another contest. He is now 0-3 in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 5.36 goals-against average and a .817 save percentage. He’s surrendered at least four goals in each of his three appearances.

It’s an insane statement to write in 2025, but if Pickard doesn’t return the Oilers are done.

Pickard, a lifetime backup in the NHL, is the hot hand for the Oilers. Contrarily, Skinner continues to flounder in the postseason. Over 38 playoff games in his career, the 26-year-old has a 3.03 GAA and a .888 save percentage.

The Oilers can’t win with that level of goaltending. No team can in the playoffs.

The Oilers’ best and only chance is that Pickard’s ailment heals rapidly. With his day-to-day designation, Edmonton remains optimistic that it will be the case. Unfortunately, it doesn’t guarantee his return in the second round. If so, the Oilers will head home after another disappointing playoff exit.

The Edmonton Oilers recently wrapped up their 2024-2025 regular season, and while the team made a strong push for the playoffs, it was evident that they faced significant challenges without the presence of goaltender Calvin Pickard. Pickard, known for his steady performances and reliable depth in the crease, was absent from the lineup due to a combination of injuries and management decisions. His absence had a substantial impact on the team’s overall performance, both in terms of goaltending and team dynamics.

**Pickard’s Role with the Oilers**

Before his absence, Pickard had earned a reputation as a dependable backup and emergency starter for the Oilers. While he wasn’t always the go-to netminder, his ability to step in when needed provided crucial depth behind the starting goalie, Jack Campbell. Pickard’s presence on the roster allowed the Oilers to be confident in their depth between the pipes, and it gave Campbell the necessary support to thrive as the team’s primary goaltender. Over the years, Pickard showed flashes of brilliance, including a shutout performance in a memorable game against a division rival, proving that he could deliver under pressure.

His departure from the lineup, however, left the Oilers in a precarious situation. When injuries sidelined Campbell earlier in the season, the Oilers were forced to rely on inexperienced or unproven backup options. The absence of Pickard left the team without that reliable second option, which created a sense of instability in net. Young goalies with limited NHL experience were thrust into the role of backup, and their inconsistency was evident.

**Impact on Team Play**

Without Pickard’s dependable play, the Oilers found themselves facing some significant challenges on defense. Goaltending is often the backbone of a team’s success, and with an inconsistent presence in net, the Oilers’ defensemen were forced to adjust to a constantly changing situation. This instability led to breakdowns in coverage, resulting in more high-danger chances and, ultimately, more goals allowed.

The team also struggled with puck management. When a team doesn’t have confidence in its goalie, it tends to overcompensate in other areas of the game. The Oilers found themselves pressing harder on offense and leaving themselves vulnerable on defense. The lack of consistency in net made it difficult for the Oilers to maintain a balanced attack, and they often found themselves chasing games.

**The Goaltending Situation Post-Pickard**

With Pickard out of the lineup, the Oilers’ front office was forced to explore other options. The team made moves in an attempt to stabilize the goaltending position, signing veteran netminder Ben Scrivens to a short-term deal to provide depth. However, Scrivens struggled to regain the form that made him a reliable backup earlier in his career. This led to further uncertainty as the team tried to adjust to a rotation that lacked the stability Pickard had previously offered.

The Oilers also faced the challenge of trying to find a long-term solution. While Campbell remained the starting goaltender for the majority of the season, the team realized they needed to build more depth and a more reliable backup. Whether they could secure this through free agency or trade was yet to be seen, but the lack of Pickard’s steady influence forced the team to take a hard look at their goaltending depth.

In the end, the Oilers’ season highlighted the importance of having a reliable backup goaltender. Calvin Pickard’s absence left a gap in the team’s structure, one that was challenging to fill, and it impacted the team’s overall performance. While the Oilers still have a lot of talent, including their dynamic offensive players, they learned that a stable, dependable goaltending situation is crucial to competing at the highest levels in the NHL. Moving forward, the team will need to address its goaltending depth to ensure that it can stay competitive in future seasons.