EDMONTON, AB — Calvin Pickard will make his second consecutive start Sunday night as the Edmonton Oilers aim to even their first-round series with the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Place.
Pickard stopped 24 shots in Edmonton’s 7-4 win in Game 3, stepping up with key saves when the Oilers needed them most — particularly in the third period, when he preserved the lead and sealed the victory with some clutch stops late.
The Oilers scored four unanswered goals in the final frame to pull away, and the 33-year-old goaltender showed once again that he’s more than capable of giving his team a chance to win.
Through five career playoff appearances (three starts), Pickard holds a 2-1-0 record with a 2.92 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage. His strong postseason showing follows a career-best regular season, where he posted a 22-10-1 record with a 2.71 GAA and .900 save percentage in 2024-25.
“I think with Calvin, you can look at his win-loss record — especially after January 1 — he just finds ways to win hockey games,” Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said. “Whether it’s that the team feels more confident in front of him or that he comes up with big saves at key moments, he’s been a huge part of it.
“In Game 3, he made some critical saves, especially late in the third period. I remember one in particular, Byfield came down with a great chance early in the third — if Calvin doesn’t make that stop, they’re up by two and it’s a much tougher game for us.”
Pickard’s composure in critical moments earned him another opportunity tonight.
Knoblauch confirmed that the Oilers will roll out the same forward and defense combinations that started Game 3. Defenceman Troy Stecher, now fully healthy, is available if needed.
“If we have an injury, or if someone isn’t playing well, we know Troy’s going to step in and give his all,” Knoblauch said. “We know the game he’s going to bring, and we’re comfortable with that. But coming off Game 1, I thought our group played really well, and we’ll stick with the six we have.”
The Oilers are also seeing the benefit of their injured players returning to full health. Recent lineup additions like Trent Frederic, Evander Kane, John Klingberg, and Jake Walman are beginning to find their form, as shown in the team’s explosive third period on Friday.
“I felt the best last game,” Frederic said. “I felt like I was skating better and not overthinking things. With a new team, you’re trying to learn the systems and everything, but now I’m just trying to go out there, skate, and play.”
Zach Hyman, who missed the final three games of the regular season, has seamlessly returned to Edmonton’s top line alongside Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He recorded two assists in Game 3 to go with his goal in Game 1.
Hyman believes the growing chemistry is critical as the Oilers get healthier.
“It’s not easy when you have a lot of guys in and out of the lineup,” Hyman said. “When players are healthy, it doesn’t just click immediately — it can take a game or two to get up to speed, especially in the playoffs when everything is magnified.
“But I think now you’re seeing guys starting to feel really good and more like themselves. That can only help our team.”
