SUNRISE — Following a 5-4 loss in overtime, the Florida Panthers are staring down a momentum shift as the landscape switches from sunny sunrise to western Canada.
Up three goals to none, the Panthers had every opportunity to push the Oilers to the brink of elimination.
Instead, Florida became the first team in National Hockey League history to squander a 3-0 advantage in a Stanley Cup Final game.
So what happened?
Calvin Pickard happened.
Certainly the Game 3 meltdown was about far more than the Oilers’ backup netminder — and yet, the veteran journeyman was integral in making sure that Edmonton’s journey back home isn’t with backs to the collective wall.
Thursday marked the second straight game that Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch called for Pickard to enter the game in relief of starting goalie Stuart Skinner.
And in doing so, there should be no question that Edmonton’s Stanley Cup net is now Pickard’s to lose.
“It’s unfortunate Stuart being pulled there,” Knoblauch said. “We needed to change things up. Pickard made some big saves. I don’t think there were very many shots in the second period, but there were some really good quality ones that he came up big with. It was great to see him make the saves when we needed him.”
After giving up a power play goal on eight shots in the third period of Game 3, Pickard was exceptional in Game 4, stopping several high-danger chances, including one from Anton Lundell when the winger was gifted a one-on-one breakaway practically in front of net and a game-saving play on Sam Bennett’s shot in overtime.
Pickard’s final stat-line reads 22 saves on 23 shots across 51:18, veins colder than the ice he played upon.
“It’s hard to describe the situation that he gets put in sometimes,” Leon Draisaitl said. “They’re not always easy. We’re down 3-0. He’s coming in. He’s cold. It’s not easy and he makes those stops in at the key moments that we really need them. He’s one of the best in the league at making the right save at the right time. He’s been nothing but spectacular for us.”
The veteran is now 7-0 in the playoffs, including a stretch of starts earlier in the playoffs when Skinner was out with an injury.
But then it was Pickard who suffered an injury in the second round of the playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights, setting the stage for Skinner’s return.
“Obviously, when I got hurt, it was frustrating,” Pickard said. “Things were going pretty well. [Skinner] came in there and played great. I felt for him today, he came in ready to play today and made some big saves early. We just didn’t have it as a team early.”
Coming back in, he’s picked up right where he left off.
Two times, he’s taken over for Skinner.
The first time, it was too little, too late to make a difference. The second time, Edmonton was unwilling to make the same mistake.
The third time — it’s a good bet that Edmonton gets it right from the get-go, which means the Panthers will need to figure out how to solve a netminder that’s been there and done that ten times over.
Because one goal in 51 minutes against Pickard isn’t going to cut it in Game 5.
“I think for him, he’s been a journeyman goalie,” Knoblauch said. “He’s been through it all. And right now, he’s been enjoying the ride. The ride last year of just becoming a regular NHL goaltender again and getting as many starts as he’s been getting. He’s earned them. I’m not giving him any starts. He deserves them.”
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