NHL insider has gutting news on injury to Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard
The Edmonton Oilers got a fantastic 6-0 run from Calvin Pickard, but now they'll have to turn to Stuart Skinner for the rest of the series after Pickard's injury update.
Pickard was injured by Vegas forward Tomas Hertl falling into the left leg during overtime in Game 2. He has since been unable to return to practice, despite finishing the game.
TSN insider rules out Calvin Pickard for at least one week, rest of series vs Vegas
On Edmonton Oilers Sports Talk podcast today, TSN insider Darren Dreger reported that Pickard will miss at least one week.
Calvin Pickard, who we believe is day to day, but I'm told that it's probably going to be at least a week. If that's the case, the reality is Oilers Nation has to jump on the back of Stu Skinner
- Darren Dreger
- Darren Dreger
A potential Game 7 of the Oilers and Vegas series would be played on Sunday May 18th, meaning that if Pickard is to miss at least one week from today, he'd be ruled out of the entire series. Now, it really will all rest on Stuart Skinner.
Sports doctor Harjas Grewal raised some significant concerns about a potential tear in Pickard's knee. That would hold him out for some time, although he could return earlier to play through the injury.
Twisting raises concern for a possible meniscus tear (ligament sprain also possible though)
All tears do not require surgery and I'm sure all options (physio, injections etc) will be exhausted to keep Pickard available but it could be Skinner's net moving forward
- Dr. Harjas Grewal
All tears do not require surgery and I'm sure all options (physio, injections etc) will be exhausted to keep Pickard available but it could be Skinner's net moving forward
- Dr. Harjas Grewal
Stuart Skinner will have to raise his play while taking net due to Pickard injury
Through three playoff starts, Stuart Skinner ranks as the worst goalie in the NHL playoffs by measures of save percentage, goals against average, and Goals Saved Above Epxected per 60 minutes.
Oilers analysts argue about defensive breakdowns on specific goals, but the reality is that they won't have a chance with the worst goalie in the NHL statically. Skinner desperately needs to find his game, and find a way to get back to an average goalie.
With Pickard out of the net, this could be a chance for Skinner to find his game again and step up for the Edmonton Oilers. But if he continues his current level of play, the Oilers will have a hard time eliminating Vegas, and Skinner surely will not be back next year.