Oilers: Stuart Skinner will take Calvin Pickard’s place in net tonight

What’s been happening in Edmonton since the start of the current playoffs is a pretty cool story. After losing their first two games to the Kings in the first round, the club decided to bring in Calvin Pickard to replace Stuart Skinner in net.

And clearly, the decision paid off, as since then, the Oilers haven’t lost a game. The club has just won six straight games… and Pickard has been in net for every one of them.

But tonight, Pickard won’t be in net for the Oilers in Game #3 of their series against the Golden Knights. The goalie didn’t take part in the morning session, which had some people worried…

And a few minutes later, Skinner announced to media members that he would be the starting goaltender tonight.

This will be his first start since Game #2 against the Kings.

Calvin Pickard did not take morning skate in Edmonton

Stuart Skinner told reporters he is starting tonight

– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 10, 2025

Kris Knoblauch later confirmed that Pickard is currently injured and being evaluated on a daily basis… and it’s easy to make connections with his team’s last game. He appeared to be injured following contact with Tomas Hertl last game, and was visibly inconvenienced.

He was able to finish the game, but it was still a little worrying.

Tomas Hertl fell on Calvin Pickard’s left leg and he was in some discomfort pic.twitter.com/im0tNtaEkr

– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 9, 2025

Obviously, for the Oilers, we have to hope the injury isn’t serious. Pickard’s arrival in front of the net has reinvigorated the group… but for the time being, it’s Skinner who’ll have to carry them through.

He did take them to the Stanley Cup Final last year, after all: the club must hope to see that goalie again tonight.

Extension

Skinner’s backup tonight will be Québécois Olivier Rodrigue. He has played in two NHL games this season, with decent numbers, but nothing more.

Let’s see how it all plays out against the Golden Knights tonight.