Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard has been confirmed as the starter for Game 1 of the second-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. The news came after Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch had previously been noncommittal about his goaltending decision.
Pickard stepped in for Stuart Skinner during Game 2 of the first-round series versus the Los Angeles Kings with half a period remaining. Since then, Pickard has posted a perfect 4-0 record with a 2.93 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage. The Oilers were trailing the series 2-0 at the time of the goalie change.
Despite the Oilers` successful run heading into the second round, which suggested little reason to change goaltenders, Knoblauch waited until Tuesday morning before confirming Pickard would start Game 1 at T-Mobile Arena.
“Right now, I guess our number one is the guy that gets a start, but that`s changing from game to game,” Knoblauch stated. “We evaluate after every game and I know there`ll be a time when Stu`s back in that net, whether that`s Game 2, Game 4, next round, I don`t know. We`ve got two goalies that can win us games.”
He added, “I would like it not to change because most likely, Picks has put in a good game and we`ve won that game and we would continue the same process, but I think we`re comfortable with either goalie going in.”
The 33-year-old Pickard, originally from Moncton, started 31 regular-season games this year, fewer than Skinner`s 50 starts.
Before being called upon in the first round this postseason, Pickard`s previous playoff experience included two starts and part of a third period against Vancouver in the second round last year.
Incidentally, Pickard was in net for Edmonton`s last regular-season meeting with Vegas on April 1, a game Skinner missed due to a concussion. Pickard made 20 saves in a 3-2 victory at T-Mobile, but Knoblauch downplayed the significance of that start as a playoff advantage for his goalie.
“It`s not that Picks has a better view on their shooters, (or) the shooters have a better on him,” the coach commented. “Everyone has their pre-scouts, know what they`re going to be looking for, whether from the Vegas standpoint, how they score their goals, how our goalie`s letting goals. Everyone`s doing their work.”
“Maybe it allows him to feel a little more comfortable because he saw that team,” Knoblauch conceded, “but I think it`s minimal.”
The coach`s approach to goaltending flexibility echoes that of the Vegas Golden Knights, who famously rotated between Adin Hill (their current starter) and Laurent Brossoit during their successful run to winning the Stanley Cup in 2023.