EDMONTON — Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard wasn't sure he'd ever play an NHL playoff game.
At 32 years of age and without a starting role, his chances were limited, but the netminder wasn't about to give up.
“You’re always believing, you’re hoping. But now that it’s finally here, it’s exciting," Pickard said.
His persistence paid off.
Pickard made his first start in an NHL playoff game Tuesday, backstopping Edmonton to a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks in their second-round playoff series.
He replaced Edmonton's usual starter Stuart Skinner, who allowed four goals on 15 shots in Edmonton’s Game 3 loss on Sunday.