Edmonton Oilers appear to have made goaltending choice for Game 1 vs. Vegas
The Edmonton Oilers appear to have decided on a starting goaltender for Game 1 of their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Following an outstanding performance from Calvin Pickard in the opening round that saw him win four straight against the LA Kings, it appears the net will continue to be his. This comes after Stuart Skinner started the first two games of the playoffs, but was pulled in the late stages of Game 2 against the Kings.
Since then, Pickard has been the Oilers’ starting goaltender. Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch has not confirmed his Game 1 starter, but the 33-year-old was in the starter’s net at Rogers Place on Monday morning.
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug was the first to report the development.
Pickard in starters net for line rushes. Skinner at other end.
Lines and pairs look the same.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 5, 2025
This comes after Knoblauch threw some confusion into the starting goalie situation over the weekend. During Sunday morning’s practice, Stuart Skinner was in the starter’s net, which fueled speculation that the Oilers could turn back to him for the start of the second round.
Knoblauch refused to tip his hat after Monday’s skate.
“See you tomorrow,” Knoblauch said when asked about his Game 1 starter. “I feel that we have two goalies that can give us a great game and win us that night every single time.
“I’d say I’m very fortunate to have that opportunity.”
"I feel that we have two goalies that can give us a great game & win us that night every single time. I'd say I'm very fortunate to have that opportunity."
Coach Knoblauch on the #Oilers options in net heading into Round 2 vs. Vegas.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/ffuo4uscdz
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 5, 2025
With Pickard being back there a day before Game 1, that now appears to have been a curveball from the sophomore head coach. If the journeyman backup gets the start, it will be his seventh in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He currently holds a sparkling 5-1 record in his previous six starts.
“Everything is magnified when we play Vegas,” Pickard told reporters on Sunday. “We gotta be detailed and limit our mistakes ’cause they’re a well-rounded team with basically everything.
“It’s gonna be an exciting challenge.”
"Everything is magnified when we play Vegas. We gotta be detailed & limit our mistakes cause they're a well-rounded team with basically everything. It's gonna be an exciting challenge."
Calvin Pickard on the #Oilers facing the Golden Knights.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/UyEg0Vvu9s
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 4, 2025
This, however, would be the first time Pickard would ever start an NHL playoff series. It’s strange to see him in this position, but he was a critical reason why the Oilers were able to get past the Kings in round one. He has more than earned the opportunity to continue getting starts in the Edmonton cage.
Pickard has played the Golden Knights just once in his career, picking up a 3-2 victory with the Oilers back in April.
The rest of the lineup went unchanged from what the team ran at practice on Sunday.