Oilers' Calvin Pickard leads comeback over Kings, advances to second round

Calvin Pickard, initially seen as a backup, played a pivotal role in the Edmonton Oilers' comeback against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the NHL playoffs. After replacing struggling starter Stuart Skinner when the team was down 2-0, Pickard backstopped the Oilers to four straight victories, including a decisive 6-4 win in Game 6 to advance to the second round. Despite limited playoff experience and a career spent largely as a journeyman, Pickard delivered steady performances, earning praise from teammates and coaches for his composure under pressure. His save percentage and ability to make key stops at critical moments were cited as crucial to the Oilers’ success. While his future as the starter may depend on his continued performance, Pickard’s resilience and reliability have come to define Edmonton’s playoff run so far. The situation underscores both the unpredictability and importance of depth in goaltending during the playoffs.