Latest news with #CalvinPickard
National Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
The Edmonton Oilers make Pink Pony Club part of their playoff lore
The first rule of Pink Pony Club is you do not talk about Pink Pony Club. Article content The second rule of Pink Pony Club is you do not talk about Pink Pony Club. Article content Article content The third rule of Pink Pony Club is if the Dallas Stars go limp, or tap out, the series is over. Article content It is now a playoff tradition, the kind of thing that will become part of Edmonton Oilers lore. The Oilers enter the Rogers Place ice surface to the chug-chugging guitar intro that has made Metallica's Enter Sandman a sports stadium standard. But if the night goes well for the Oilers, after all the players enter the dressing room, Chappell Roan's smash hit will be played at high volume. Article content It has become such a part of this playoff run that the crowd of 18,000-plus at Rogers Place belted out Pink Pony Club during Game 3. Article content But how did this song become the Oilers' playoff anthem? That's a closely guarded secret. 'We're going to keep that one within the team,' said Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard. Article content Goalie Calvin Pickard, who was in net for the team's first six playoff triumphs of 2025 before falling to injury, offered little more. Article content 'I don't know if I can tell people that story, can I?' said Pickard. 'Well, I know exactly where it started, but I don't know if I want to let that secret out. I know exactly when, because I was there. But, I think I am going to keep it tight to the chest. Article content Article content The fact that a lot of the sportswriters in the dressing room hadn't heard of the song until the playoff run is a sign that a lot of us need to get out more. For those of you who have been living under a rock, Roan's song has become more than the sum of its parts. It's about a girl who moves from a small town to pursue her dreams in Los Angeles, but ends up dancing at a club, The fact that she knows her mother would be aghast with her life choices suggests that the venue in question is indeed a strip club, but her line 'and I heard there's a special place, where boys and girls can all be queens every single day' has also made it an anthem for the queer community, and just about any kid who feels he, she or they simply don't fit in. There was a Chappell Roan-themed drag night held at an Edmonton nightclub in the fall of 2024. It's a pop song, but it might be the most unintentionally punk-rock anthem of this generation. Honestly, no one would have batted an eyelash had these lyrics been sung by Kurt Cobain. Article content And that's what makes hearing 18,000 fans belt out the song so spine-tinglingly wonderful. Whether it's intentional or not, they are signalling that the arena is a place of inclusion. Article content Article content There's a unique connection between random pop hits of the past and present and sports teams. In 2019, the St. Louis Blues went on a playoff run that ended in a Cup, with Laura Branigan's Gloria as their victory song. Singing along to Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline is part and parcel of going to Fenway Park and watching a Boston Red Sox game. Article content Some songs are local. When the Minnesota Twins win, they hear Let's Go Crazy by the late, great Prince — the state's most famous musical export. The Seattle Mariners rock to Jimi Hendrix's Fire, an homage to the local guitar legend. Article content Sometimes, when fans break into song, you wonder how and why the song got there. During Game 3 of the Oilers-Stars series, the fans belted out a version of the Cranberries' Zombie, which is a protest song about the Irish Republican Army and a bombing that killed two kids. And this scribe has lost count of the times arenas play the Outfield's Your Love when happy couples are shown on the big screens, even though the song is about infidelity.
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner's story of struggles and a chance at redemption
The Stanley Cup playoffs present opportunities for all participants. Some players turn into overnight sensations, while others become wildly unpopular with their fan base. Sometimes, both things happen in the same playoff run. Such is the case for Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers. So far in his young career, Skinner has seen the good and the bad of playing for his hometown team. Advertisement It's no easy task playing goalie for the Oilers. For decades, the iconic players have been centres (Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl), wingers (Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Esa Tikkanen, Ryan Smyth, Zach Hyman) or defencemen (Paul Coffey, Kevin Lowe, Chris Pronger, Evan Bouchard). Goalies? Grant Fuhr counts as an icon, and he was a local product who made good and played his way into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Fuhr had some difficulty early but settled in and backstopped the glory Oilers through the Stanley Cup runs of the 1980s. Fuhr may be the only individual on the planet who can completely relate to Skinner's spring. Skinner's opening playoff performances against the Los Angeles Kings back in April were so poor that he lost the starting job. He stopped just 46 of 58 shots (via Natural Stat Trick) in the first two games, and didn't see the net again until Game 3 of the series against the Vegas Golden Knights on May 10. Calvin Pickard's strong play after taking over gave the team new life, with Skinner relegated to the backup role. An injury to Pickard versus Vegas breathed new life into Skinner's playoff season, and the big man is running with the opportunity. Players often get too much credit or blame for events that occur during the postseason. It can turn a fan base against a player, and in rare cases, management has used a single player as a scapegoat. An extreme example is the 2013 buyout of centre Mikhail Grabovski by the Toronto Maple Leafs after a devastating loss to the Boston Bruins in a pivotal Game 7. There is no such worry with regard to Skinner and the Oilers. His teammates, specifically McDavid and Draisaitl in public statements, have been vocal in their support of Skinner through the difficult moments of this spring's playoffs. Advertisement In fact, there are the makings of a redemption story in the Skinner experience this spring. His performance against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night is another chapter in what is a building story. Using five-on-five save percentage, here's a look at Skinner's playoff run for each of the three series he's played in so far in 2025: All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat Trick Skinner's progression is clear, and since regaining the net in the Vegas series, the young goaltender looks in complete control. Calm feet, confidence and a team playing well in front of him have settled nerves and allowed Skinner to shine. His performance in Game 4 of the Dallas series on Tuesday night is a perfect example of Skinner's maturation. While there was endless activity around his net, the Stars were unable to sustain the fury of the opening period (16 shots in the first, nine in the second and four in the third period). Skinner held his ground, stopped all of the high-danger chances, and gave up just one goal, which was scored on the power play. Skinner has stopped 86 of the last 88 shots sent his way by Dallas in the Western Conference final. After the trials of one year ago, this year's postseason had an even rockier start. However, three shutouts recently (two against Vegas and one versus the Stars) have allowed for a change in the script for Skinner and Oilers fans. Emily Kaplan of ESPN talked to Skinner right after the game on May 23, and conducted a brilliant interview. Skinner's answers reflected the maturity fans are seeing from the goaltender and players across the roster after last season's disappointment in Game 7 of the Final against the Florida Panthers. In answer to Kaplan's question about who has helped the most in his game day mindset, Skinner shared, 'It truly does take a community, it takes a city, it takes a lot of people to help you persevere and go through challenges. Mainly your teammates. The way the guys play in front of me, day in and day out, no matter what situation we're in, that's all it is. I'm giving all the credit to the boys in there.' Advertisement It's easy to forget Skinner was an unproven goaltender when he stepped into the breach in the fall of 2022. In the last three seasons, he has started 48, 57 and 50 regular-season games, respectively. His $2.6 million cap hit (with one year to go before his next contract) means Skinner is an extreme value deal. That he plays one of the foundation positions (starting goalie is one of 12 such roles on the team) only adds to his value. What's the next step for Skinner? It's the same goal for every member of the Oilers organization. Winning the Stanley Cup. At the rate things are going, Skinner may cement his role as the goaltender of record for the 2020s in Edmonton. The NHL in this era does not produce dynasties, but for a franchise that has been searching for Stanley since 1990, winning this spring would be something close to nirvana. Skinner started this playoff spring poorly, but all is forgotten now. Forty-one long years after a homegrown goalie (Fuhr) led the team to its first Stanley Cup victory, another homegrown goalie is one win closer to doing the same.
CBC
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Stuart Skinner rising to the occasion for Edmonton Oilers after mid-playoff reset
Social Sharing Stuart Skinner had peeled off half of his equipment and was handed a headset. The Edmonton Oilers goaltender answered questions during a television interview outside the team's locker room as fans situated in an adjacent dining area snapped pictures through a glass divider. Occupying the crease for the NHL team in Alberta's capital probably feels like being in a fishbowl at times. Skinner knows that roller-coaster well — and is currently riding a high in the Western Conference final. The 26-year-old has backstopped the Oilers to a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-seven matchup following Sunday's 6-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. Despite the lopsided score, the visitors carried play for long stretches, especially in a second period when the ice was severely tilted. Skinner, however, held the fort and finished with 33 saves to even his playoff record at 4-4 with Game 4 set for Tuesday back at Rogers Place. It's been, quite frankly, feast or famine for the Edmonton native this spring. He lost the net to backup Calvin Pickard in the opening round after a couple of bad outings put Edmonton in a 2-0 hole against the Los Angeles Kings. Pickard then ripped off six straight wins, but was hurt Game 2 of the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights. Skinner, who was also replaced by Pickard for a stretch in last year's playoffs before helping lead the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, headed back into the fray after that recent reset and has hardly looked back. The 26-year-old allowed one goal through his first four wins of the playoffs, joining Ilya Bryzgalov (2006), Ed Belfour (2004), Patrick Lalime (2002) and Felix Potvin (1994) as the only netminders to accomplish that feat since 1944. WATCH | Oilers trounce Stars in Game 3 of Western Conference final: Oilers trounce Stars in Game 3 of Western Conference Final 1 day ago Duration 2:03 He blanked Vegas in Games 4 and 5 to close out the Golden Knights, but surrendered five goals on 27 shots in the opener against Dallas on a night where the Oilers squandered a 3-1 lead in the third period. The 78th pick at the 2017 draft, however, rebounded again with a 25-save shutout in Game 2 ahead of Sunday's showing. "I'm proud of myself," said Skinner, who would have become the first goalie in NHL history with shutouts in his first four victories of a post-season. "I'm most proud of the effort I'm putting in." The Oilers needed all of it in Sunday's second period when the Stars held a 10-1 edge in high-danger scoring chances, according to analytics website "He was huge for us," Edmonton winger Evander Kane, who had three assists in Game 3, said following Monday's optional practice. "We needed him probably more than we would have liked to. If he can continue playing the way he's played down the stretch … we really, really like our chances." The Oilers play with more defensive structure than past iterations, but Skinner deserves a ton of credit with 104 saves on 105 shots against in his four post-season victories of 2025. "It's been fun to watch him play the past few games," Edmonton blueliner Evan Bouchard said. "He's getting back to his game, playing with confidence." Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said that, much like last year, Skinner's ability to refocus is one of his greatest assets. "To bounce back after a tough game, bad stretch, whatever it is, I've been very impressed," Knoblauch said. "He was able to recover well and work on some of the parts of his game, the technical side. But I've been very impressed with how even-keel he is. "Doesn't get too high or too low." No easy task living in a hockey fishbowl. Ekholm, Pickard close to a return; Brown to sit Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm, who took part in Monday's optional skate, said he's getting closer to a return — potentially as early as Game 4. "Probably one of the tougher things I've gone through in my hockey career," the 35-year-old, who hasn't played in the post-season due to an undisclosed injury, said of watching his team from the press box. "Never been hurt in the playoffs before, so having to go through this and knowing that it'd be a long stretch, it's nerve-racking. It's not fun, but the guys have done such a tremendous job." Knoblauch said there's a chance Pickard could serve as Skinner's backup Tuesday. Oilers winger Connor Brown, however, won't be available after taking a big hit from Stars defenceman Alexander Petrovic in Game 3. "It's unfortunate he got hurt," said the bruising blueliner from Edmonton. "Just finishing my check. The game moves fast." Stars centre Hintz speaks after injury Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said No. 1 centre Roope Hintz will again be a game-time decision with a lower-body injury. The Finn took a slash from Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse in the third period of Game 2 and didn't return. He went out for warm-ups Sunday, but didn't participate in line rushes. Hintz, who didn't want to dwell on the Nurse incident when speaking with reporters, was on the ice with a handful of teammates at Monday's optional practice.
CBC
27-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Stuart Skinner rising to the occasion after mid-playoff reset
Stuart Skinner had peeled off half of his equipment and was handed a headset. The Edmonton Oilers goaltender answered questions during a television interview outside the team's locker room as fans situated in an adjacent dining area snapped pictures through a glass divider. Occupying the crease for the NHL team in Alberta's capital probably feels like being in a fishbowl at times. Skinner knows that roller-coaster well — and is currently riding a high in the Western Conference final. The 26-year-old has backstopped the Oilers to a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-seven matchup following Sunday's 6-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. Despite the lopsided score, the visitors carried play for long stretches, especially in a second period when the ice was severely tilted. Skinner, however, held the fort and finished with 33 saves to even his playoff record at 4-4 with Game 4 set for Tuesday back at Rogers Place. It's been, quite frankly, feast or famine for the Edmonton native this spring. He lost the net to backup Calvin Pickard in the opening round after a couple of bad outings put Edmonton in a 2-0 hole against the Los Angeles Kings. Pickard then ripped off six straight wins, but was hurt Game 2 of the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights. Skinner, who was also replaced by Pickard for a stretch in last year's playoffs before helping lead the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, headed back into the fray after that recent reset and has hardly looked back. The 26-year-old allowed one goal through his first four wins of the playoffs, joining Ilya Bryzgalov (2006), Ed Belfour (2004), Patrick Lalime (2002) and Felix Potvin (1994) as the only netminders to accomplish that feat since 1944. WATCH | Oilers trounce Stars in Game 3 of Western Conference final: Oilers trounce Stars in Game 3 of Western Conference Final 1 day ago Duration 2:03 He blanked Vegas in Games 4 and 5 to close out the Golden Knights, but surrendered five goals on 27 shots in the opener against Dallas on a night where the Oilers squandered a 3-1 lead in the third period. The 78th pick at the 2017 draft, however, rebounded again with a 25-save shutout in Game 2 ahead of Sunday's showing. "I'm proud of myself," said Skinner, who would have become the first goalie in NHL history with shutouts in his first four victories of a post-season. "I'm most proud of the effort I'm putting in." The Oilers needed all of it in Sunday's second period when the Stars held a 10-1 edge in high-danger scoring chances, according to analytics website "He was huge for us," Edmonton winger Evander Kane, who had three assists in Game 3, said following Monday's optional practice. "We needed him probably more than we would have liked to. If he can continue playing the way he's played down the stretch … we really, really like our chances." The Oilers play with more defensive structure than past iterations, but Skinner deserves a ton of credit with 104 saves on 105 shots against in his four post-season victories of 2025. "It's been fun to watch him play the past few games," Edmonton blueliner Evan Bouchard said. "He's getting back to his game, playing with confidence." Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said that, much like last year, Skinner's ability to refocus is one of his greatest assets. "To bounce back after a tough game, bad stretch, whatever it is, I've been very impressed," Knoblauch said. "He was able to recover well and work on some of the parts of his game, the technical side. But I've been very impressed with how even-keel he is. "Doesn't get too high or too low." No easy task living in a hockey fishbowl. Ekholm, Pickard close to a return; Brown to sit Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm, who took part in Monday's optional skate, said he's getting closer to a return — potentially as early as Game 4. "Probably one of the tougher things I've gone through in my hockey career," the 35-year-old, who hasn't played in the post-season due to an undisclosed injury, said of watching his team from the press box. "Never been hurt in the playoffs before, so having to go through this and knowing that it'd be a long stretch, it's nerve-racking. It's not fun, but the guys have done such a tremendous job." Knoblauch said there's a chance Pickard could serve as Skinner's backup Tuesday. Oilers winger Connor Brown, however, won't be available after taking a big hit from Stars defenceman Alexander Petrovic in Game 3. "It's unfortunate he got hurt," said the bruising blueliner from Edmonton. "Just finishing my check. The game moves fast." Stars centre Hintz speaks after injury Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said No. 1 centre Roope Hintz will again be a game-time decision with a lower-body injury. The Finn took a slash from Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse in the third period of Game 2 and didn't return. He went out for warm-ups Sunday, but didn't participate in line rushes. Hintz, who didn't want to dwell on the Nurse incident when speaking with reporters, was on the ice with a handful of teammates at Monday's optional practice.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Stuart Skinner backstopping Oilers after another mid-playoff reset
Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston (53) is stopped by Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period in Edmonton on Sunday, May 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON — Stuart Skinner had peeled off half of his equipment and was handed a headset. The Edmonton Oilers goaltender answered questions during a television interview outside the team's locker room as fans situated in an adjacent dining area snapped pictures through a glass divider. Occupying the crease for the NHL team in Alberta's capital probably feels like being in a fishbowl at times. Skinner knows that roller-coaster well — and is currently riding a high in the Western Conference final. The 26-year-old has backstopped the Oilers to a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-seven matchup following Sunday's 6-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. Despite the lopsided score, the visitors carried play for long stretches, especially in a second period when the ice was severely tilted. Skinner, however, held the fort and finished with 33 saves to even his playoff record at 4-4 with Game 4 set for Tuesday back at Rogers Place. It's been, quite frankly, feast or famine for the Edmonton native this spring. He lost the net to backup Calvin Pickard in the opening round after a couple of bad outings put Edmonton in a 2-0 hole against the Los Angeles Kings. Pickard then ripped off six straight wins, but was hurt Game 2 of the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights. Skinner, who was also replaced by Pickard for a stretch in last year's playoffs before helping lead the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, headed back into the fray after that recent reset and has hardly looked back. The 26-year-old allowed one goal through his first four wins of the playoffs, joining Ilya Bryzgalov (2006), Ed Belfour (2004), Patrick Lalime (2002) and Felix Potvin (1994) as the only netminders to accomplish that feat since 1944. He blanked Vegas in Games 4 and 5 to close out the Golden Knights, but surrendered five goals on 27 shots in the opener against Dallas on a night where the Oilers squandered a 3-1 lead in the third period. The 78th pick at the 2017 draft, however, rebounded again with a 25-save shutout in Game 2 ahead of Sunday's showing. 'I'm proud of myself,' said Skinner, who would have become the first goalie in NHL history with shutouts in his first four victories of a post-season. 'I'm most proud of the effort I'm putting in.' The Oilers needed all of it in Sunday's second period when the Stars held a 10-1 edge in high-danger scoring chances, according to analytics website 'He was huge for us,' Edmonton winger Evander Kane, who had three assists in Game 3, said following Monday's optional practice. 'We needed him probably more than we would have liked to. If he can continue playing the way he's played down the stretch … we really, really like our chances.' The Oilers play with more defensive structure than past iterations, but Skinner deserves a ton of credit with 104 saves on 105 shots against in his four post-season victories of 2025. 'It's been fun to watch him play the past few games,' Edmonton blueliner Evan Bouchard said. 'He's getting back to his game, playing with confidence.' Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said that, much like last year, Skinner's ability to refocus is one of his greatest assets. 'To bounce back after a tough game, bad stretch, whatever it is, I've been very impressed,' Knoblauch said. 'He was able to recover well and work on some of the parts of his game, the technical side. But I've been very impressed with how even-keel he is. 'Doesn't get too high or too low.' No easy task living in a hockey fishbowl. Ekholm, Pickard close; Brown to sit Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm, who took part in Monday's optional skate, said he's getting closer to a return — potentially as early as Game 4. 'Probably one of the tougher things I've gone through in my hockey career,' the 35-year-old, who hasn't played in the post-season due to an undisclosed injury, said of watching his team from the press box. 'Never been hurt in the playoffs before, so having to go through this and knowing that it'd be a long stretch, it's nerve-racking. It's not fun, but the guys have done such a tremendous job.' Knoblauch said there's a chance Pickard could serve as Skinner's backup Tuesday. Oilers winger Connor Brown, however, won't be available after taking a big hit from Stars defenceman Alexander Petrovic in Game 3. 'It's unfortunate he got hurt,' said the bruising blueliner from Edmonton. 'Just finishing my check. The game moves fast.' Hintz speaks Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said No. 1 centre Roope Hintz will again be a game-time decision with a lower-body injury. The Finn took a slash from Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse in the third period of Game 2 and didn't return. He went out for warm-ups Sunday, but didn't participate in line rushes. Hintz, who didn't want to dwell on the Nurse incident when speaking with reporters, was on the ice with a handful of teammates at Monday's optional practice. 'You want to play every game, especially in the playoffs,' he said. 'I'm trying everything that I can.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
