The Edmonton Oilers have announced that goaltender Calvin Pickard will not be available for Round 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs due to an undisclosed injury. Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Pickard is day-to-day, and while the team remains hopeful for his return, there is no definitive timeline for his recovery. This development comes as the Oilers prepare to face the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Finals, set to begin on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Pickard’s absence marks a significant shift for the Oilers, who have relied heavily on his stellar performance throughout the playoffs. After replacing Stuart Skinner in Game 3 of the first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, Pickard led the team to four consecutive victories, including a decisive 6-4 win in Game 6 that clinched the series. His perfect 4-0 record in the postseason, coupled with a 2.84 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage, has been instrumental in Edmonton’s playoff success.
Despite the setback, the Oilers are confident in their depth at the goaltender position. Stuart Skinner, who started the first two games of the playoffs before being replaced by Pickard, is set to resume his role as the team’s starting goaltender. Skinner has a career playoff record of 19-17, with a 3.00 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage. His experience, including leading the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024, positions him as a reliable option in Pickard’s absence.
The Oilers’ coaching staff remains optimistic about Skinner’s ability to step up. “Very fortunate, we’ve got two goalies we have a lot of confidence in,” said Knoblauch. “For Picks to go on this run throughout the playoffs without a loss is really remarkable and just riding the hot hand, unfortunately he’s not available for us right now.”
As the Oilers prepare for the Western Conference Finals, all eyes will be on Skinner to see if he can continue the team’s momentum and lead them to the Stanley Cup Final. The first game of the series is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM PDT. The full schedule for the series is as follows:
NHL Schedule
- Edmonton Oilers @ Dallas Stars on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 05:00 PM PDT
- Edmonton Oilers @ Dallas Stars on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 05:00 PM PDT
- Dallas Stars @ Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM PDT
- Dallas Stars @ Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 05:00 PM PDT
- Edmonton Oilers @ Dallas Stars on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 05:00 PM PDT
- Dallas Stars @ Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 05:00 PM PDT
- Edmonton Oilers @ Dallas Stars on Monday, Jun 02, 2025 at 05:00 PM PDT
The Oilers and Stars are set to face off in the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year, with the Oilers having won in 2024. Both teams are seasoned postseason contestants, with Edmonton reaching the conference finals three times in four years and Dallas appearing in this round for the third straight year. Despite being top contenders during the regular season, both teams faced skepticism entering the playoffs due to late-season struggles and injuries. However, they have each impressed with strong performances in the first two playoff rounds.
As the series progresses, the Oilers will need to adapt to the absence of Pickard and rely on their depth and experience to overcome the Stars and advance to the Stanley Cup Final. The performance of Stuart Skinner will be pivotal in determining the outcome of the series and the team’s chances of capturing the coveted championship.
