Erik Karlsson's recent performances with Team Sweden have raised his trade value, but a disconnect with the Pittsburgh Penguins hints at his potential departure. The Penguins are in a rebuilding phase, and Karlsson, owed $10 million over the next two seasons, might not fit into their plans. General Manager Kyle Dubas is open to trades as the Penguins are unlikely to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are also at a crossroads, needing to address their goaltending situation. Stuart Skinner's inconsistent play has led to talks of acquiring a more reliable goalie, with names like John Gibson and Karel Vejmelka emerging as options. However, acquiring a quality goaltender will require careful financial planning, particularly with the Oilers' aspirations for a Stanley Cup run.

The Edmonton Oilers faced a tough challenge against the Colorado Avalanche, ultimately falling 5-4 in a game marred by self-inflicted errors. After trailing 3-2 at the end of the first period, coach Kris Knoblauch made a bold move, replacing goalie Stuart Skinner with Calvin Pickard to start the second period. Skinner's struggles continued, finishing with only nine saves on twelve shots and a dismal .750 save percentage. This season, Skinner has particularly struggled in the first period, sporting an .879 save percentage.

Despite the loss, Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry each delivered impressive two-goal outings, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the team’s defensive lapses. The Oilers recorded three giveaways, with at least two leading directly to goals for the Avalanche. As they gear up for the 4 Nations Faceoff, the Oilers hope to rectify their earlier mistakes and regain form as they prepare for a tougher stretch ahead.

In a thrilling overtime match, Connor Brown netted the decisive goal to secure a 3-2 victory for the Edmonton Oilers against the St. Louis Blues. Connor McDavid shone with a goal and two assists, while Leon Draisaitl contributed with a goal and an assist.

The Oilers took an early advantage with McDavid's power play goal in the second period, but the Blues fought back as Jordan Kyrou and Colton Parayko scored to briefly hold the lead. However, Draisaitl’s late game-tying goal set the stage for Brown’s overtime heroics.

Stuart Skinner made a significant impact in goal for Edmonton, making 20 saves, while Jordan Binnington stopped 35 shots for St. Louis, which has struggled recently, marking their fifth loss in six games.

Goaltending is often seen as a crucial element in hockey, yet sportsbooks appear to miscalculate its influence on game outcomes. For instance, the Edmonton Oilers have shown inconsistency in performance when Stuart Skinner starts, achieving only a 16-16 record as favorites, and a dismal 9-23 against the spread. Conversely, Calvin Pickard, Skinner's backup, leads the Oilers to a 12-3 record on the moneyline when he takes the lead, suggesting a significant misvaluation of Skinner's impact on betting lines.

The findings indicate that betting against the Oilers when Skinner is in net could be a savvy strategy, as the team has only covered three times when underdogs with him starting. As the Oilers prepare to face the St. Louis Blues, the decision on which goaltender to deploy could have a substantial betting implication.

Calvin Pickard has emerged as a crucial player for the Edmonton Oilers this season, stepping up in net during Connor McDavid's return from suspension. With 26 saves, Pickard's performance helped secure a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken, marking the Oilers' third consecutive win and placing them back in first in the Pacific Division. At 32, he holds a 13-4-0 record this season and has been outstanding, particularly with a 9-1 mark in his last 10 starts.

His unexpected reliability has been pivotal as the Oilers have won 11 of their last 14 games. Having spent the previous season with the Oilers' AHL affiliate, Pickard was initially brought in as a backup amidst struggles from starter Jack Campbell. With a goals-against average of 2.50, he credits his success to playing behind a strong team that consistently knows how to win.

The Oilers recently signed Tyler Palmer to serve as Pickard's backup while usual netminder Stuart Skinner took a personal day. This shift underscores the team's trust in Pickard, who has proven to be more than a capable backup amidst the challenges faced by the Oilers this season.