Goaltender Pickard steps in for starting Oilers netminder, securing team's berth in the second round of the playoffs.
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CALGARY - Slinging sweat and grit across the ice, Calvin Pickard, Edmonton Oilers' unforeseen MVP, stole the limelight in this year's NHL playoffs. With a 4-0 record under his belt, the 33-year-old from Moncton left critics stunned.
The Oilers caught everyone off guard when they sidelined starting goalie, Stuart Skinner, in the second round of their series against the Los Angeles Kings. Down by 2 games, Pickard arrived as the wildcard and led the team to a four-game winning streak, victory coming in a nail-biting 6-4 home win in Game 6.
"It feels incredible," Pickard beamed. "I didn't want to chase results; I just wanted to do my job. My job is to make saves when I can, and I did that for the back half of the game. We've got players with an insatiable appetite for goals, and we poured everything into this game. My job was to let one less goal in than the other guy."
A high-octane series unfolded as Edmonton edged out Los Angeles 27-24.
"We played well throughout the four games I was between the pipes," Pickard shared. "I don't remember exactly how many goals we scored in my four games, but I just had to keep the puck out at crucial moments."
Pickard ended the series with a 2.93 goals-against average and a save percentage of .893. He stood firm on a breakaway by L.A.'s Warren Foegele in the first minute of the second period when Edmonton led 3-2, giving his team a chance to respond.
"Picks gave us a chance every night," said Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
Recalling his previous playoff experience, Pickard stepped in for two games during the second-round series against the Vancouver Canucks last year. He posted a 1-1 record in his debut playoff starts before Skinner reclaimed Edmonton's net.
"I had no reservations about throwing him in because we ripped the Band-Aid off last year," Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said. "He responded remarkably well, and it gave us a lot of confidence. This year, it was much easier to give him the net."
Pickard's career failed to take off after his 50 games with Colorado in 2016-17. Struggling to regain a foothold in the NHL, he played just 19 games over the next six seasons for Toronto, Philadelphia, Arizona, and Detroit. Spending most of those years in the minors, Pickard's talent seemed buried beneath the rigors of the league.
Signing with the Oilers in 2022, Pickard spent that season with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.
"I never lost faith," Pickard claimed. "If you don't believe in yourself, you won't succeed. I played some decent hockey since I played 50 games in Colorado, always building that game and that confidence to get back to this level. I knew I could play at this level, but I got the opportunity last year, and I'm grateful to play behind such a good team. It gave me the confidence I needed, and here we are—it's a thrilling time for sure."
Pickard took to the ice for 23 games with the Oilers in 2023-24, but his 31 starts this season marked the highest since his last stint with Colorado. With a record of 22-10-1, a .900 save percentage, and a goals-against average of 2.71, Pickard proved he's back and better than ever.
Starting eight of Edmonton's final 11 regular-season games when Skinner was sidelined by a concussion, Pickard rocked a 5-3 record.
"I probably played a bit more than expected at the start of the year," Pickard confessed.
"It was good to get into a rhythm towards the end of the season with Skins's injury. I was playing some of my best hockey. I was ready if called upon, and I was called upon pretty early. I just want to keep it going."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2025.
Information from the enrichment data:
Originally drafted 49th overall by Colorado in 2010, Calvin Pickard was considered organizational depth when he joined Edmonton in 2022. His pivotal career shift came in 2024-25 when he posted career-best regular-season numbers, ultimately earning Edmonton's nomination for the Masterton Trophy. This resurgence continued into the playoffs, where Pickard maintained his reputation as a dependable goaltender.
- In Toronto, Calvin Pickard showcases his skills as the unexpected MVP of the Oilers in the NHL playoffs, raising the average save percentage to an impressive .893.
- Despite spending several years with various sports teams like Philadelphia, Arizona, and Detroit after his stint with Colorado, hockey's rigors seemed to have buried Pickard's talent.
- Having started eight games in the final eleven games of the 2023-24 regular season, Pickard's impressive performance with Edmonton has earned him nods for sports awards, such as the Masterton Trophy.
- As the Oilers catch critics off guard by replacing starting goalie Stuart Skinner with Pickard in the second round playoff series against Los Angeles, he displays his hockey prowess with a 4-0 record, leading Edmonton to a four-game winning streak.
- In the competitive world of sports and hockey, Pickard's presence on the Oilers has been a sure boost for the team; even his fellow team captain, Connor McDavid, acknowledges his contribution to their victories.
