The Edmonton Oilers are making a change in goal for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoff Series against the Vancouver Canucks. Stuart Skinner, the starting goalie, will be benched in favor of backup Calvin Pickard.
Skinner, 25, was replaced by Pickard during the third period of Game 3 in an effort to bolster the team’s defensive performance. Despite being an NHL All-Star last season and boasting 123 career games with 72 wins and four shutouts, Skinner has struggled recently. He currently ranks ninth among his peers this season in saves with 1,406.
The last time Silovs & Pickard started against one another in the playoffs? Game 2 of last year's opening round when Abbotsford clashed with Bakersfield…Silovs got the win https://t.co/lRkIjbbSdv
— Brandon Astle (@brandon_astle) May 14, 2024
Pickard, 32, brings nine years of NHL experience to the table, having previously played for Colorado, Toronto, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Arizona. However, he has never appeared in an NHL postseason game prior to Sunday night’s match. Despite his extensive career with 139 games played, 47 wins, and five shutouts, Pickard may face rustiness due to his lack of recent play, having last appeared on April 18. This goalie change, while strategic for the Oilers on home ice, could present an opportunity for the Canucks to capitalize, especially if they can secure an early lead.
Comparatively, both of Edmonton’s goalies have more experience than the Canucks’ 23-year-old Latvian goalie, Arturs Silovs, who has only played in nine regular-season NHL games. Silovs was called upon due to injuries to Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith. Demko, the Canucks’ ace goalie at 28, is currently recovering from an injury. While he has been practicing and taking shots, the team is likely to proceed cautiously and avoid rushing back the Vezina Trophy nominee until he is fully recovered.
