EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers gave goaltender Calvin Pickard the nod to start in Friday's Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings.
Pickard replaced Stuart Skinner in the third period of Wednesday's 6-2 loss that gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
"There should be a lot of desperation, no matter who our goaltender is," said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch on Friday.
"We just need a big performance, some big saves at key times. Our being down two-zero isn't only on our goaltender."
Skinner came out after allowing five goals on 28 shots. Adrian Kempe scored the Kings' sixth goal on the first shot Pickard faced Wednesday.
Pickard stopped two of three shots in the nine minutes and 30 seconds he played in Game 2.
"We felt that we're in a position we need to win a game and we have a lot of confidence in him," Knoblauch said.
The Oilers tried to turn the tide in the series after the Kings dominated Wednesday's third period with four unanswered goals.
Edmonton fell a win short of a Stanley Cup in 2024 when the Florida Panthers beat the Oilers 2-1 in Game 7.
A quick first-round exit this year would sting the club and its fans.
"We've been in this situation before, especially last year, we were down in a series and clawed our way back, but I can't look too far ahead," Pickard said.
"Tonight's all about getting a good start. We have such a good team in here, and we have more to give for sure, and we're excited to get out there tonight."
Pickard went 22-10-1 this season. He started eight of Edmonton's last 11 games for a 5-3 record after Skinner was concussed, including two games against the Kings.
Pickard stopped 36 shots in a 5-0 loss to the Kings on April 14 and 28 in a 3-0 loss on April 5.
"I feel like we've seen the Kings a lot lately," Pickard said. "I got to play them a couple of times at the end of the regular season, kind of see their tendencies.
"Their top guys are feeling it on the power play, but it's up to us to adjust and make it tougher on them."
Pickard made his NHL playoff debut last season.
The 33-year-old from Moncton started two playoff games for the Oilers and finished another in the second round against Vancouver for a 1-1 record.
"He's played well all year. He's been solid for us, coming in at big moments and did last year in the playoffs as well," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said. "So obviously a guy we got a lot of faith in, and I expect him to play great tonight."
Pickard was inserted into the third period of a 4-3 loss to the Canucks in Game 3 before his 19 saves in a 3-2 victory in Game 4. He stopped 32 shots in a 3-2 loss in Game 5 before Skinner was reinserted for Game 6.
"I can say it definitely helps a little bit," Pickard said. "We're almost a year removed from that, but since then played some good hockey, played a bit more than probably I expected to this year, which was awesome, and yeah, definitely feeling confident going into it."
Playoff success often relies on a goalie making improbable saves at key times, which Skinner didn't do Wednesday, although he was also victimized by his team's penalties and porous defence.
"Our team game shouldn't change depending on who's in the net," said Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse.
"We should be out there checking and playing a strong defensive game — and that's the game we've got to get to."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2025.
Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press
