Jesper Wallstedt has been the NHL's busiest goalie this season, and deservedly so, with consistently stellar play, but Minnesota will turn to Pickard on Saturday in the tail end of a back-to-back. The 34-year-old Pickard, signed in the offseason to back up Wallstedt while Filip Gustavsson (hip) is sidelined, has barely played in 2026-27. He has a 3.50 GAA and .833 SV% in two games (1-1-0) and has not played in two weeks.
With Filip Gustavsson (hip) sidelined, Minnesota has started Jesper Wallstedt in every game of the 2026-27 season, but Pickard will get his first chance on Tuesday in the tail end of a back-to-back. The 34-year-old Pickard has had some success at the NHL level, but struggled in limited action in 2025-26, posting a 3.68 GAA and .871 SV% in 16 games (5-6-2) with the Edmonton Oilers.
Pickard has seen significant NHL exposure the past three seasons, but organizational moves by the Edmonton Oilers made him expendable, ultimately resulting in a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild. The 34-year-old Pickard has a 2.95 GAA and .901 SV% in 191 career NHL games (74-77-14). He should start the year at the NHL level with Minnesota, filling in for Filip Gustavsson, who is expected to be sidelined for the first couple of months of the 2026-27 season.
Pickard will serve as the Oilers' No.3 goalie throughout the postseason. Since going down to the AHL, he has gone 4-3-1 with a 3.26 GAA and .886 SV% in eight games.
With the emergence of Connor Ingram in Edmonton's crease, Pickard had not played since January 8th and will now be assigned to Bakersfield (AHL) after clearing waivers. The 33-year-old Pickard struggled between the pipes this season, with a 3.68 GAA and .871 SV% in 16 appearances (5-6-2).
Connor Ingram had a solid outing in Edmonton's 6-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Thursday, but Pickard will tend the twine on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 33-year-old Pickard allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, and has struggled with consistency most of the season. Pickard has an ugly 3.73 GAA and .873 SV% in 15 games this season (4-6-2). The Oilers enter the action on Thursday as -112 road favorites against a reeling Jets team on a dreadful 3-12-5 run.
Pickard has been unreliable most of the season for the Oilers, but he is coming off an outstanding 41-save performance (.976 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, and will likely return to the crease on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 33-year-old Pickard has a 3.69 GAA and .874 SV% in 14 appearances (4-5-2), recording quality starts in only 27 percent of his outings.
Pickard has been unreliable most of the season for the Oilers, but he is coming off an outstanding 41-save performance (.976 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, and will likely return to the crease on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 33-year-old Pickard has a 3.69 GAA and .874 SV% in 14 appearances (4-5-2), recording quality starts in only 27 percent of his outings.
Connor Ingram played three straight for the Oilers, but after a 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday, the team will revert to Pickard on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 33-year-old Pickard has not played since allowing four goals on 36 shots (.889 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on December 20th. He has an ugly 3.93 and .861 SV% in 13 appearances this season (3-5-2).
The Oilers have struggled between the pipes all season, but have only allowed one goal in their last two games (1-1-0) courtesy of Stuart Skinner saving 49 of 50 shots (.980 SV%). Recent success aside, they will turn to Pickard on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 33-year-old Pickard was terrific as Edmonton's backup in the previous two seasons, but has not played well in 2025-26, posting an ugly 4.04 GAA and .847 SV% in nine appearances (2-3-2). The Oilers enter Thursday's contest as -194 home favorites against a Kraken team that has scored just three goals in its last three games (0-2-1).
The Oilers will hand Pickard the start in the tail-end of their back-to-back when they travel to Tampa Bay on Thursday. Pickard turned in another poor performance in his last start, allowing five goals on 25 shots in a 5-4 loss in Columbus last Thursday. The 33-year-old netminder owns a 2-3-1 record and an ugly .830 SV% on the season. Pickard and the Oilers enter action on Thursday at +145 on the money line.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Oilers will turn to Pickard on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pickard allowed five goals on 21 shots (.762 SV%) in his most recent outing, entering a 9-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in relief. The 33-year-old Pickard has an ugly 4.00 GAA and .836 SV% in six appearances this season (2-2-1). Stuart Skinner was between the pipes earlier this week when the Oilers defeated the Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime.
On the front end of a back-to-back, the Oilers will turn to Pickard on Monday against the St. Louis Blues. Despite a serviceable 2-1-1 record, the 33-year-old Pickard has struggled this season, posting an ugly 3.50 GAA and .846 SV% in four games. That said, the Oilers have played well lately, recording at least a point in six of their last seven games (4-1-2), and enter Monday's contest as -129 road favorites against a Blues team that has been outscored 51-34 through 12 games this season (3-7-2).
The Oilers have been inconsistent to start the 2025-26 season, scoring only 18 goals (2.57 GF / GP) through seven games (3-3-1), totals that are not aligned with an offense led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Pickard will be between the pipes on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens, looking to build on a 2.54 GAA and .865 SV% through two games (1-1-0). The Oilers enter Thursday's action as sizable -216 home favorites against a Montreal Canadiens team that played last night, defeating the Calgary Flames 2-1 in overtime.
