Oilers' coach drops bombshell on former Avalanche draft-pick following brutal Game 5 loss against Panthers

After his standout performance in Game 4, where he served as a defensive anchor, Pickard was met with an aggressive Florida attack that gave him few chances to respond.

Matteo Ravi from Motorcycle Sports writes that back on home ice at Rogers Place, the Oilers aimed to gain the upper hand in the series, but the Panthers had other plans, pushing hard for a 3-2 lead. Pickard, who started in goal, was under heavy pressure and allowed four goals on just 18 shots, finishing with a .778 save percentage. The performance marked a sharp drop from his previous outing, where he had played a key role in the Oilers' win.

After the loss, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch shared his perspective on the game, highlighting the difficult situation Pickard was up against throughout the night.

Knoblauch pointed to key defensive lapses that left Pickard exposed, emphasizing that the responsibly for the loss rested with the team as a whole. His remarks made it clear that the defeat wasn't solely on the goaltender's performance, but rather a result of broader breakdowns in team play.

As the Oilers look to bounce back, their priority will be shoring up their defensive play and providing stronger support for their goaltender.

Game 6 will go Tuesday night back in Florida.

Source:
Motorcycle Sports
Calvin Pickard's Game 5 struggle: «He had little chance on those goals» says Kris Knoblauch