Oilers Fans Call For Calvin Pickard After Meltdown vs Stars

The Edmonton Oilers fell to the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final despite holding a multi-goal lead at one point. Dallas stormed back in the third period, scoring five goals, stunning the Oilers for the win.

Edmonton let a perfect opportunity to grab a road win slip away, and they will now need to regroup for Game 2. But after the fact, many fans were calling for goalie Calvin Pickard to return from injury. 

Pickard has been out due to a nondisclosed injury since Game 2 of the second round. Veteran Stuart Skinner has filled in for him, and the results have been very mixed.

After the meltdown against the Stars in Game 1, fans started to call for Pickard to return to the ice. Pickard went undefeated in six games for the Oilers this postseason.

One fan wrote, "Calvin pickard 100% win rate to cup finals incoming"

Another commented on the sad state of the Oilers, "Crazy that the Oilers have to pray that Calvin Pickard gets healthy so he can play… what a sad state"

One wrote, "I think Calvin Pickard may get the Cursed Oilers net back"

Another made their feelings clear on the matter, "Ummm….Calvin Pickard back yet? Asking for the those north of Red Deer! #Oilers #NHL"

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) settles a dump in by the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of game one of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

One fan showed some humor in the matter, "Dear @EdmontonOilers please put Calvin pickard in net, Stu skinner is leakier than a kitchen pipe! Best, Walter"

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said that Pickard could return at some point in the series, but didn't specify when that would be. But for the Oilers' sake, if Pickard can return sooner rather than later, it could change everything for this series.