Your team’s riding a playoff high, your goalie’s been a wall, and then—bam!—an injury update drops like a bad pass. Calvin Pickard, 33, has been a revelation in the 2025 playoffs, stepping up in the NHL playoffs despite a late start to the postseason. That’s the gut punch Edmonton Oilers fans felt when head coach Kris Knoblauch announced on Sunday that Calvin Pickard has been listed as “day-to-day” with an undisclosed injury, and the Oilers loyalists can’t help but feel the concern.

With a 6-0 record, a 2.84 goals-against average, and an .888 save percentage, he’s earned the love of his teammates. “We love battling for him,” captain Connor McDavid said before Round 2 kicked off. But in Game 2, a collision with Vegas forward Tomas Hertl, who fell on Pickard’s leg late in the game, left the goalie banged up. Still, Pickard gutted it out, making 28 saves in a thrilling 5-4 overtime win that gave Edmonton a 2-0 series lead. Now, with an undisclosed injury sidelining him, fans are holding their breath.

Kris Knoblauch announced Calvin Pickard won’t suit up for Monday’s Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights. “Calvin is day-to-day and he will not play,” Knoblauch said after team meetings, leaving Oilers Nation reeling. The timing couldn’t be worse. Edmonton dropped Game 3 at home, 4-3, after Vegas’ Reilly Smith scored a heartbreaking buzzer-beater. Stuart Skinner, who stepped in for Pickard, faced 24 shots, stopping 20 but allowing four goals, including a fluky deflection off Leon Draisaitl’s stick from a last-second William Karlsson centering pass. Skinner’s .833 save percentage and minus-1.69 goals saved above expected (per moneypuck.com) didn’t exactly inspire confidence. For a fanbase already frustrated with Skinner’s 0-3 playoff record and shaky regular-season finish, this loss stung extra hard.

Oilers fans have been vocal about their distrust in Skinner, especially after he watched from the bench as Pickard led the team to four straight wins over the Los Angeles Kings and two against Vegas. Game 3 was Skinner’s chance to redeem himself, but despite some clutch saves, the result was another loss. With Pickard out, Skinner’s back in the hot seat for Game 4, and the pressure’s on.

Edmonton still holds a 2-1 series lead, but the mood in Oilers Nation is tense. Will Skinner seize this shot at redemption, or will Pickard’s absence prove too costly? One thing’s for sure: the fans are watching, but they’re not holding back.

Kris Knoblauch in praise of Stuart Skinner’s game 3 play

As the Edmonton Oilers gear up for a pivotal Game 4 against the Golden Knights, all eyes are on goaltender Stuart Skinner. With backup Calvin Pickard sidelined, the pressure’s squarely on Skinner to hold down the fort. Despite a rocky start to this postseason, head coach Kris Knoblauch is standing firmly behind his netminder, pointing the finger at the defense rather than Skinner for recent struggles.

“Stuart made some really big saves, especially in the third period,” Knoblauch said, reflecting on Game 3. “He was clutch early on the penalty kill and made a huge stop. Like we saw in Games 1 and 2 against L.A., we just need to tighten up in front of him.” It’s a vote of confidence that could be a game-changer for Skinner, who’s had a tough go in this playoff run, posting a 5.36 goals-against average and .817 save percentage across three games. In Game 3 alone, he allowed 4 goals on 24 shots, taking the loss against Vegas.

But if history’s any guide, Skinner’s got the chops to turn it around. Last season, he was a postseason rock star, leading the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final with a 14-9 record, a 2.45 GAA, and a .901 save percentage. That’s the kind of performance Edmonton’s banking on to grab a commanding 3-1 series lead. To do it, Skinner will need to stonewall Vegas’ relentless attack, and his teammates will have to step up their defensive game.

Game 4 is a do-or-die. A win puts Edmonton in the driver’s seat; a loss sends them back to Vegas with the series knotted up. Skinner’s been here before, and Knoblauch’s backing him to rise to the occasion. If he can channel that 2024 playoff magic, the Oilers might just skate out of Game 4 with a smile. Fans, buckle up—it’s going to be a wild one!