Pickard allowed one goal on seven shots after replacing Stuart Skinner in the Oilers' 6-0 loss to the Jets on opening night. With a back-to-back this weekend, Pickard will start the easier of the two matchups vs. the Blackhawks on Saturday. The Oilers are the biggest favourites (-348) on Saturday's slate and Pickard had a 27-save shutout in his only game against them last season.
Pickard allowed one goal on seven shots after replacing Stuart Skinner in the Oilers' 6-0 loss to the Jets on opening night. With a back-to-back this weekend, Pickard will start the easier of the two matchups vs. the Blackhawks on Saturday. The Oilers are the biggest favourites (-348) on Saturday's slate and Pickard had a 27-save shutout in his only game against them last season.
Pickard started the 2023-24 season as Edmonton's third goaltender but worked his way into a backup role by mid-season and has earned himself a two-year, $2 million ($1,000,000 AAV) contract extension. The 32-year-old travelling netminder had not played more than 11 games since 2016-17 but put together a solid season in 2023-24 with his 12-7-1 record, 2.45 GAA and .909 SV%.
Pickard excelled in his first career playoff start in Game 4 as he stopped 19 of 21 shots against (.905 SV%) and will start Game 5 in Vancouver after locking down the starter's net at morning skate. The 32-year-old appeared in his most games played (23) since 2016-17 in the regular season and had a solid 12-7-1 record, 2.45 GAA and .909 SV% while backing up Stuart Skinner all year. He will look to take a series lead on Thursday as Edmonton heads to Vancouver for Game 5.
Pickard excelled in his first career playoff start in Game 4 as he stopped 19 of 21 shots against (.905 SV%) and is expected to start Game 5 in Vancouver after locking down the starter's net at morning skate. The 32-year-old appeared in his most games played (23) since 2016-17 in the regular season and had a solid 12-7-1 record, 2.45 GAA and .909 SV% while backing up Stuart Skinner all year. He will look to take a series lead on Thursday as Edmonton heads to Vancouver for Game 5.
Pickard will be making his first career playoff start in Game 4 following Stuart Skinner's struggles in the first three games of the series. Pickard had the best season of his career, going 20-12-7 with a 2.45 GAA and .909 SV% in 23 games (20 starts).
On the front end of a back-to-back, their second-last game of the season, the Oilers will ride with Pickard between the pipes on Wednesday against the Arizona Coyotes. Pickard has allowed three or fewer goals in three of his last four (2-1-1) but was unsuccessful in his last outing, allowing three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes. The Oilers enter action as -157 road underdogs.
On the front end of a back-to-back, their second-last game of the season, the Oilers will ride with Pickard between the pipes on Wednesday against the Arizona Coyotes. Pickard has allowed three or fewer goals in three of his last four (2-1-1) but was unsuccessful in his last outing, allowing three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes. The Oilers enter action as -157 road underdogs.
The Oilers, winners of three straight, will continue their goalie rotation on Friday against the Arizona Coyotes with Pickard poised for his fourth start in the last seven games. Pickard has allowed two or fewer goals in two of his last three contests (2-1-0), including a stellar effort in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames.
The Oilers, winners of three straight, will likely continue their goalie rotation on Friday against the Arizona Coyotes with Pickard poised for his fourth start in the last seven games. Pickard has allowed two or fewer goals in two of his last three contests (2-1-0), including a stellar effort in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames.
After a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blue on Monday, the Oilers will turn to Pickard between the pipes on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars. Pickard has allowed two or fewer goals in three of his last four starts (3-1-0), including a 21-save performance (.955 SV%) in his last outing, a 6-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Pickard and the Oilers enter action as +108 road underdogs against a Stars team they defeated 4-3 in February.
The Oilers have been openly rotating their goalies over the last few weeks, a trend that continues on Tuesday as Pickard will start for the fourth time in the last eight games. Pickard has been tremendous when called upon lately, including pitching a 41-save shutout in his last outing, a 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers enter action as significant -389 home favourites.
Pickard has been excellent in a backup role since joining the Oilers in November and will return to the crease for the second time in the last three games. In his last outing, Pickard saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%), having his shutout bid snapped in the third period in a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers enter action as -261 road favourites on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Pickard has been excellent in a backup role since joining the Oilers in November and will likely return to the crease for the second time in the last three games. In his last outing, Pickard saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%), having his shutout bid snapped in the third period in a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers enter action as -261 road favourites on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
