Kris Knoblauch confirms more bad news ahead of Game 4.

The Edmonton Oilers will have to continue fighting an uphill battle if they want to advance past the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Oilers were on an incredible hot streak with goaltender Calvin Pickard in net, winning 4 straight games against the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round of the playoffs and quickly following that up with 2 more wins against the aforementioned Golden Knights. Unfortunately the Oilers lost the services of Pickard after Game 2 and were forced to return to the much maligned Stuart Skinner in Game 3.

Skinner would go on to make 24 saves in Game 3 but also allowed 4 goals in the process, recording a .833 save percentage as his team once again failed to secure the victory with him in net. Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl even admitted after the game that a stretch in which Skinner allowed 2 goals in just 54 seconds had taken the wind out of the sails for the Oilers.

Unfortunately there won't be any help on the way for the Oilers in Game 4 with Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch confirming on Sunday morning that Pickard would not be available for the Oilers once again. There's been no timeline established for Pickard's return but the Oilers are obviously hoping that will come sooner rather than later.

Pickard himself hasn't had the greatest numbers with a 2.84 goals against average and a .888 save percentage but, for one reason or another,  the Oilers have been unbeatable with him in between the pipes thus far in the playoffs.

Game 4 will take place on Monday night at 6:30 PM PST / 9:30 PM EST.