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  • Oilers' Calvin Pickard: Ugly outing in Game 5

    Pickard stopped 14 of 18 shots in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The fifth goal was an empty-netter.

    Pickard didn't get any support until the third period, but the Panthers were able to provide answers to both of the Oilers' goals. With Stuart Skinner fading over recent contests, Pickard could have secured the crease with a strong performance Saturday. Instead, after Pickard's first loss in 10 playoff outings (7-1), it's unclear which netminder will be tasked with the start in Game 6 in an attempt to get the Oilers back home for a winner-take-all Game 7.

  • Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Grabs pivotal win in Game 5

    Bobrovsky allowed two goals on 21 shots in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Oilers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

    Bobrovsky was given a 2-0 lead to protect after one period, and unlike in Game 4, he was able to get the job done. It wasn't his best performance of the series, as the Oilers' 21 shots were their lowest in five games against the Panthers, though this is just the second contest that has been decided in regulation between the teams. Bobrovsky will have a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup for the second straight year in Game 6 on Tuesday in Florida.

  • Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Slated to start in Game 5

    Bobrovsky is expected to start on the road in Game 5 against Edmonton on Saturday, per George Richards of Florida Hockey Now.

    Bobrovsky has a 2-2 record, 2.83 GAA and .912 save percentage across four appearances against Edmonton in the series. He's also 14-7 with a 2.27 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 21 outings this postseason. Edmonton has posted 3.95 goals per game this playoffs, including 4.56 when playing at home.

  • Oilers' Calvin Pickard: Facing Panthers in Game 5

    Pickard will patrol the home crease in Game 5 against Florida on Saturday, according to Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels.

    Pickard has posted a 7-0 record with a 2.69 GAA and an .896 save percentage through nine outings this postseason. He has made two straight relief appearances, stopping 29 of 31 shots. After Stuart Skinner got the hook in Game 4 on Thursday, Pickard made 22 saves on 23 shots in a 5-4 overtime victory. With the best-of-seven series tied at 2-2, the winner of Game 5 will hold a substantial advantage in the battle for the Stanley Cup.

  • Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Squanders good start

    Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 35 shots in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Oilers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

    Bobrovsky was spotted a 3-0 lead after one period, but it was gone by the second intermission. A bad bounce after a strong individual effort by Leon Draisaitl in overtime was the difference, with Bobrovsky taking his first loss since Game 1 of the series. He's allowed 14 goals on 160 shots against the Oilers, good for a .913 save percentage. Despite this missed opportunity to take a commanding series lead, Bobrovsky is a virtual lock to start in Game 5 on Saturday in Edmonton.

  • Oilers' Calvin Pickard: Backstops comeback win

    Pickard stopped 22 of 23 shots in relief of Stuart Skinner in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Panthers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

    Pickard has made relief appearances in two consecutive games, as Skinner's performance has dropped significantly against the Panthers. Head coach Kris Knoblauch's call to switch goalies at the start of the second period paid off Thursday, with Pickard providing stability between the pipes as the Oilers pulled off a comeback win to tie the series at 2-2. Pickard is 7-0 over nine appearances this postseason while allowing 21 goals on 201 shots for an .896 save percentage. With things trending in Pickard's direction, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the 33-year-old between the pipes for Game 5 in Edmonton on Saturday.

  • Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Pulled again in Game 4

    Skinner allowed three goals on 17 shots in the first period of Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Panthers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

    Skinner was the only reason the Oilers were down 3-0 after the opening frame -- it could have been much worse. Nonetheless, head coach Kris Knoblauch elected to pull Skinner for the second game in a row, and Calvin Pickard was between the pipes for the Oilers' comeback. With three straight subpar efforts, it would be surprising to see Skinner between the pipes on home ice in Game 5 on Saturday, especially after Pickard stopped 22 of 23 shots Thursday.

  • Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Starting Game 4

    Bobrovsky will protect the home goal Thursday versus the Oilers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

    Bobrovsky will get the start after delivering a 32-save effort in a 6-1 win in Game 3. He's allowed nine goals on 125 shots (.928 save percentage) in this series so far, but he's largely been up to the challenge of the Oilers' high-powered offense.

  • Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Starting Game 4

    Skinner will defend the visiting cage in Florida for Thursday's Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

    Skinner has been outstanding in the Edmonton net, as he was 7-2 with a 1.83 GAA and a .929 save percentage before Monday's 6-1 shellacking against the Panthers. He was less than ordinary in Monday's tilt, allowing five goals on 23 shots before he was pulled in favor of Calvin Pickard. Skinner will get a chance to redeem himself Thursday against a Florida team that is generating 4.00 goals per game during the playoffs.

  • Stars' Magnus Hellberg: Signs with Swedish club

    Hellberg agreed to terms on a three-year contract with Djurgardens IF on Thursday.

    Hellberg spent the 2024-25 campaign with AHL Texas, logging 41 regular-season games for the minor-league club in which he posted a 24-14-1 record, .904 save percentage and 2.69 GAA. Despite the solid numbers, Hellberg was on the NHL roster for just one game this past year as he was firmly cemented behind Casey DeSmith as the No. 3 netminder. Given the length of his deal, this move all but spells the end of Hellberg's NHL career, with the Swedish backstop set to eventually retire having played in 26 NHL games for the Predators, Rangers, Red Wings, Senators and Penguins.

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