After a thrilling Game 4 win that included a three-goal comeback, the Edmonton Oilers return to Alberta with their sights set on a series lead. The team made some roster moves prior to Game 5, which included some callups from the Bakersfield Condors.
The Condors saw their 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs run cut short with a quick exit. In the first round in a best-of-three series against the Abbotsford Canucks, the Condors lost two in a row to end their season on a low note.
Now, with the Oilers still very much in the playoffs, recalls were made.
Adding goalie depth
The team announced that they recalled Calvin Pickard from the Condors, meaning they’re now carrying four goalies in the playoffs: Stuart Skinner, Jack Campbell, Olivier Rodrigue, and now Pickard.
The team had just recalled Rodrigue (and Dylan Holloway) on April 23, and now Pickard joins the fray as the next Condor up.
It’s not clear if any of the goalies are not at 100% yet, but this move at least adds depth and extra bodies for practise in the salary cap-less playoffs.
Skinner stays the starter
Despite the abundance of goalies now available, it appears the Oilers will stick to their guns and start their best goalie in Game 5. Skinner let in three goals in the first period of Game 4, but returning to him explicitly shows the team’s trust in him to get the job done on home ice.
A single playoff series does not accurately reflect a goalie’s ability, but Skinner has a penchant for performing under playoff pressure, something the Oilers know and want to utilise. The move to start Skinner is seeing both praise and criticism from the fan base, but only the actual on-ice results will show which of the two were truly due discussion.
Game 5 gets underway at 7:30 pm MDT. Buckle up!
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
