Despite starting the playoffs later than most of his teammates, Calvin Pickard has been incredible between the pipes. “We love battling for him,” said the Oilers captain, Connor McDavid, of the team’s netminder ahead of the Round 2 campaign of the 2025 postseason. However, despite being a steady contributor to Edmonton’s success, the goalie will be sitting out the next game against the Golden Knights, and the fans are understandably vexed.

After losing the first two games of the playoffs this season, the Oilers became the first team in NHL history to register five back-to-back comeback wins. In fact, their latest victory against the Golden Knights in Game 2 took that tally to six. In all those six matches, Calvin Pickard was bestowed with the netminding responsibilities, and we daresay he executed his task with gusto. But ahead of Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights, the 33-year-old has been listed as “day-to-day” with an undisclosed injury, and the Oilers loyalists can’t help but feel the blues.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman took to X on May 10 to note that Stuart Skinner would be replacing Pickard at Rogers Place for the third game of Round 2. “Calvin Pickard did not take morning skate in Edmonton. Stuart Skinner told reporters he is starting tonight,” Friedman’s post shares. Skinner will be returning to the team after playing the first two games of the playoffs against the Kings (posting a 6.11 goals-against average and .810 save %).

Pickard took a hit to his leg in Game 2 vs Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena last Thursday. The Golden Knights’ Tomas Hertl fell on Calvin’s left leg. However, the Oilers’ goalie remained in his post and went on to make 28 saves in the game to help his side clinch a 5-4 OT victory, going on to register a 6-0 record with a 2.84 GAA and .888 save percentage in the playoffs.

Considering that Calvin Pickard has been solid since starting the postseason games this year, fans are justifiably unhappy with the change before the Oilers’ first home game of Round 2. The Golden Knights are trailing 0-2 after two games, and with Pickard guarding Edmonton’s net, fans were feeling comfortable. But with Skinner coming in, all that faith seems to be shaky. “no. why. this isn’t FAIR,” bellowed one fan, who just isn’t on board with Kris Knoblauch’s move.

However, though, right now, the Oilers nation would only want assurance that their star goalie isn’t going to get sidelined before the climb ahead. With the Maple Leafs’ goalie Anthony Stolarz taking an injury during the Cats’ and Leafs’ Game 1 last week and still having to warm the bench, the Edmonton camp is justifiably nervous about whether Calvin Pickard will also need to deal with something similar.

However, things might not be so bleak after all, despite whatever the fans keep wailing about.

Calvin Pickard’s empty shoes prompt fans to clamor

It’s not like Stuart Skinner isn’t capable of handling the duties in Pickard’s absence. Coach Knoblauch reminded that it was the 26-year-old who played a pivotal role in the playoffs last season which ultimately ended with the Oilers losing to the Panthers in the Stanley Cup finals. During the run, Skinner posted a 14-9 overall record in the postseason, along with an impressive 2.45 GAA and a .901 save%. And yet, fans seem to posit that without Skinner, Edmonton is only going to take a brutal slamming. “Oilers are screwed,” one fan raised the alarm. “If Skinner starts again Vegas will get both wins in Edmonton,” another fan also didn’t show much hope for Knoblauch’s boys.

One would remember how the Oilers’ captain, McDavid, was feeling the excitement before locking horns with his Western Conference comrades in Round 2. Reminding everyone how Edmonton had a score to settle with Vegas in the playoffs, the forward promised to bring retribution to the Knights. Now, with Pickard out, fans don’t see Connor’s plan reaching fruition. “Their goes the season,” one Oilers fan is ready to cave in already.

“We expect (Skinner) to come in and deliver what he’s done before,” the head coach said, sounding hopeful about Calvin’s replacement doing his best in Game 3. However, for some neutral fans, this also presents an opportunity. “Whole bank account on Vegas tonight,” smirked one fan, who seems likely to make the most of the situation. How about you? Do you think Stuart will be able to fill Pickard’s shoes with determination? Or will he fall flat on his face with the team on his back? Tell us!