Oilers turn to Pickard for pivotal Game 3

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard will start Friday's Game 3 against the Los Angeles Kings, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed.

Pickard entered Game 2 in relief of Stuart Skinner in the third period, allowing one goal on three shots as the Kings posted a dominant 6-2 victory to take a 2-0 series lead.

Pickard said Friday that he's unfazed by taking on a bigger role at a critical point in the matchup.

"Same way I've approached every game as an Oiler: go out and do my job and give our team a chance to win," Pickard said. "Obviously, the first two games didn't go as planned, basically in all facets, but we've got a better effort in this locker room, and we're definitely going to do that tonight."

Skinner has produced an .810 save percentage in the opening two games of the playoffs.

The Oilers deflected blame from their netminders after Game 2, with blue-liner Darnell Nurse saying the club is hanging them out to dry with their defensive play.

Pickard started Games 4 and 5 of last year's second round as Skinner struggled. Skinner rebounded with a .914 save percentage over the next 15 games once he got the net back.

Pickard had a .900 save percentage and 2.71 goals against average in 36 appearances this campaign.

Game 3 is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.