Calvin Pickard to start Game 4 for the Oilers

This just in, according to a report from NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Edmonton Oilers will be starting goaltender Calvin Pickard in place of Stuart Skinner for Game 4 tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.

From Seravalli:

Pickard has started exactly zero NHL playoff games, so there's quite a risk here from the Oilers' perspective. On the other hand though, Skinner has been abysmal this post-season. He's been especially poor in the 2nd round against the Canucks. He's been out-dueled by 24 year old Canucks rookie Arturs Silovs so far in the series and has arguably cost the Oilers two victories. While Silovs has been outstanding, the Oilers have produced more scoring chances throughout the series and arguably deserve a better fate than a 2-1 series deficit.

The problem is that Skinner has allowed weak goals in every single outing thus far in the series. It'll be up to Pickard to shore things up this evening. Stay tuned.

Skinner has allowed 12 goals in three games against the Canucks for a .793 save percentage after owning a respectable .910 save percentage in five contests against the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1. After Edmonton's Game 3 loss to the Canucks, head coach Kris Knoblauch said the club "needs more saves."

As for Pickard, he has made 23 appearances for the Oilers this season, going 12-7-1 with a .909 save percentage.