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The Edmonton Oilers are getting something from Calvin Pickard that they haven't gotten from Jack Campbell.

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner cannot be relied on for 70+ starts this year. The last goalie to do that for the Oilers - or any other team - was 2016-17 Cam Talbot.

The Edmonton Oilers defeated the New Jersey Devils by a 4-1 score. The Oilers had four different goal scorers - Derek Ryan, Evan Bouchard, Connor McDavid and Evander Kane.

Calvin Pickard.Calvin Pickard.

The real story of the game was Calvin Pickard, who stopped 26 of 27 shots. After only facing 12 shots combined over the first two periods he stopped 14 of 15 shots in the third period. Tonight was Pickard's first win of the season.

The last game that Pickard won was back on January 28th, 2022. He only allowed two goals on 38 shots against the Pittsburgh Penguins while playing for the Detroit Red Wings.

He Keeps Getting Better

Pickard hasn't played a game since the Oilers started their winning streak. He's only allowed six goals in three appearances this season.

Calvin Pickard.Calvin Pickard.

Pickard played well enough in his first game this season - but the four goals allowed was less than ideal. In his last appearance and tonight he's only surrendered one goal each game.

Tonight was his best performance by far. According to MoneyPuck he was expected to have 2.27 goals against him based on the quality of chances. He firmly closed the door by only giving up one goal (that he had absolutely no chance stopping).

Calvin Pickard & Stuart Skinner. Calvin Pickard & Stuart Skinner. 

They have only seen three game appearances of Pickard, but that should be enough to warrant more looks. He's proving himself to be more reliable than Jack Campbell.

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