Mon Apr 28 05:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Oilers Netminder Pickard to Start Game 4 Against Kings, Aiming for Series Tie
**EDMONTON, AB** – The Edmonton Oilers will rely on goaltender Calvin Pickard for a second consecutive game as they face the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday night at Rogers Place. Pickard’s strong performance in Game 3, where he stopped 24 shots in a 7-4 Oilers victory, earned him another start. Coach Kris Knoblauch praised Pickard’s crucial saves, particularly in the third period, highlighting his ability to secure wins for the team.
Knoblauch will maintain the same forward and defensive lineups from Game 3, with defenceman Troy Stecher ready to step in if needed. He expressed confidence in the current lineup, noting the improving performance of recently returned players like Trent Frederic, Evander Kane, John Klingberg, and Jake Walman. Frederic himself commented on feeling more comfortable with the team’s pace, stating that he is “just trying to go out and play.”
The return of key players, including Zach Hyman, who has been reacclimating to the top line alongside Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, has contributed to a growing sense of team cohesion. Hyman acknowledged the challenges of integrating players returning from injury during the playoffs but emphasized the positive impact of a healthier lineup on team performance.
The Oilers enter Game 4 hoping to even the series after their Game 3 win. The projected lineup features Nugent-Hopkins centering McDavid and Hyman, with Draisaitl flanked by Podkolzin and Arvidsson. The defensive pairings remain consistent, showcasing the team’s confidence in their current configuration.
First Piper 