April 25th, 2025, 02:07 ET
The Edmonton Oilers have made changes to the goaltender and have put the crease of Game 3 of the Western Conference Series with the Visiting Los Angeles Kings on Calvin Picard.
After Stuart Skinner scores 11 goals on 58 shots, the Oilers are turning their eyes to Picard, not pushing them on the brink of elimination.
Picard released Skinner midway through the third period of Game 2 on Wednesday, allowing one goal on three shots.
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The Journeyman goaltender was asked on Friday afternoon how he plans to approach Game 3.
“Like I approached all the games as Euler, I’m going out and doing the work and giving my team a chance to win,” Picard said. “Obviously, the last two games didn’t go as planned with all facets, but I know there’s a better effort in this locker room. I’m trying to do that tonight.”
Oilers coach Chris Noblauch said he will meet up with the coaching staff after Game 2 to determine the first goaltender. However, Knoblauch added that he believes Skinner will not be held responsible for the team’s defensive troubles in the series.
“I don’t think there were any bad goals. There were a lot of goals, but the possibility that we’re giving up is from Grade A,” Knoblauch said. “I don’t know if there’s a lot of it. It was very difficult for goaltenders to play more structures.
Pickard, 33, averaged 22-10-1 with a save percentage of 2.71 goals and 0.900 in 36 games (31 starts) during the regular season. The 26-year-old Skinner was 26-18-4 with a 2.81 GAA and .896 save percentage, exceeding 51 games (50 starts) during the regular season.
This report used information from ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark and field-level media.
