PROJECTED LINEUP: Pickard getting the start in goal against the Panthers

The Moncton, NB product is 1-1-0 over three appearances (two starts) this season, posting a 2.24 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.

“I think he’s earned it,” Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said. “I think he’s been playing really well. Having a little bit of a rotation, you think about goaltenders’ workloads, but ultimately the biggest reason why he’s starting is he’s done a really good job since he’s been here.”

The Oilers have three road games next week before the Holiday break in New York against the Islanders, Rangers and Devils, including a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday.

Knoblauch thought the timing was right to give tonight’s start to Pickard, who’ll get the assignment in one of those back-to-back games and Skinner drawing two of the club’s next three starts.

“This decision [was made] obviously with Picks playing really well and deserving this start, but also thinking about next week and you’ve got three games in four days and our starter is going to have two of those,” Knoblauch said. “So we’re also thinking about the next week and what puts our goalies in the best situation for the next week, so I think it was one, looking at next week’s schedule, and also Picks deserving this game.”