Pickard has been limited to only one game in the last nine for the Oilers but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The lack of play hasn't been an indictment on Pickard's play but rather a testament to Stuart Skinner's, as Pickard has been stellar when called upon, allowing three or fewer goals in his last three games (3-0-0), posting a serviceable .904 SV%. The Oilers, winners of 14 straight, are gargantuan -601 home favourites against a Blackhawks club defeated 6-2 by the Seattle Kraken last night.

Pickard has settled nicely into his role as the Oilers' backup netminder and has been serviceable in limited action when called upon. The Oilers are riding an eight-game winning streak, with two wins courtesy of Pickard, in which he saved 51 of 56 shots (.911 SV%). The Oilers have an excellent opportunity to extend their winning streak to nine games as -160 road favourites on Thursday against a Detroit Red Wings club that is suddenly surging, winning four of their last five games (4-1-0).

After winning eight straight, the Oilers have suddenly lost three in a row, being outscored 15-6, and will turn to Pickard on the front end of a back-to-back on Thursday to try and stop the bleeding. Pickard has four appearances with the Oilers this season, most recently allowing five goals on 39 shots (.872 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on December 16th. The Oilers will face off against a New Jersey Devils team also in a skid, being outscored 8-3 over their last two contests (0-1-1).

Pickard has 116 NHL games under his belt but will receive his first start at the NHL level since the 2021-22 season when he was a member of the Detroit Red Wings. Jack Campbell's reassignment earlier this month triggered Pickard's call-up from Bakersfield (AHL), where he posted a sensational 2.03 GAA and .939 SV% in four games (2-2-0). Pickard will have his work cut out for him in his return to NHL action as the Oilers face off against a Florida Panthers team that has won six of their past seven contests (6-1-0).

Jack Campbell cleared waivers earlier on Wednesday, allowing the Oilers to recall Pickard from the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. Pickard has not played at the NHL level since a three-game stint with the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021-22 season. The 31-year-old journeyman goaltender has been lights out with the Condors this season, posting a 2.03 GAA and .939 SV% in four games (2-2-0). Stuart Skinner is expected to take priority in the starters crease for the Oilers but after a dreadful 2-8-1 start to the season, the slightest misstep could potentially give Pickard a route to seeing game action.

Pickard was 5-3-1 with a 2.89 GAA and .909 SV% for Bakersfield (AHL) but has been recalled by Edmonton on Tuesday. Pickard is filling in for Stuart Skinner, who stepped away from the team for the birth of his first child.

Pickard has appeared in 116 career NHL games with five different teams since 2015, going 35-54-19 with a 3.03 GAA and .903 SV%. In 2022, he spent most of the year in the AHL, going 21-16-5 with a 2.58 GAA and .918 SV% with Grand Rapids. He'll likely replace Stuart Skinner in Bakersfield.

Alex Nedeljkovic was added to COVID-19 protocol so Pickard is expected to serve as Thomas Greiss' backup on Saturday. Pickard has gone 9-7-2 with a 2.47 GAA and .926 SV% in 19 AHL games this season.

Pickard has been returned to the AHL to make room for Jonathan Bernier to be activated from IR. Pickard is 14-9-3 with a 2.87 GAA and .903 SV% in 26 AHL games this season.