3 least impressive Edmonton Oilers players from 2-1 OT loss to Tampa Bay Lightning ft. Calvin Pickard

The Edmonton Oilers lost a 2-1 overtime matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night at Benchmark International Arena, in what felt like a playoff game. The Oilers led the game 1-0 late in the third until a goal by Nick Paul sent the affair to overtime.

In overtime, Jake Guentzel ended it at the 1:43 mark, following a brilliant save by Andrei Vasilevskiy on Zach Hyman. The Lightning netminder robbed Hyman of the game-winner. The ensuing rush led Guentzel to beat Calvin Pickard for the winning goal.

Trent Frederic got his second of the season for the Edmonton Oilers in the first period.

So, here’s a look at the least impressive Edmonton Oilers players from their overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.

3 least impressive Edmonton Oilers players from OT loss to Tampa Bay Lightning

#3 Andrew Mangiapane

The Edmonton Oilers forward did not have an overly impressive game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He hit the ice for 12:37, getting just one shot on goal across 20 shifts.

Mangiapane had been getting top-six minutes, playing at times with Connor McDavid. While Magiapane continues to flank Leon Draisaitl, the offense just hasn’t been there. He’s got four goals and eight points in 22 games.

#2 Brett Kulak

The Edmonton Oilers blueliner got burned at a crucial moment in the game. With the Oilers leading 1-0 in the third, Kulak’s failure to step up defensively opened the door for the Lightning to get back into the game.

Here’s a look at Kulak’s role in Nick Paul’s game-tying goal as shown on the Lightning’s official X account:

Kulak failed to prevent Paul from getting to the front of the net and shoveling the puck past Calvin Pickard. Kulak seemed stuck in molasses as he was unable to use his stick or block Paul from getting to the front of the net. The Oilers blueliner skated for 17:38, racking up two penalty minutes and one shot on goal.

#1 Calvin Pickard

It’s tough to pick on Pickard as the least impressive player on the night. However, Pickard failed to make two crucial saves when his team needed them the most.

First, Pickard was easily beaten on Paul’s game-tying goal. Then, Guentzel took Pickard to school on the overtime winner.

Here’s a look:

Of course, Vasilevskiy deserves a ton of credit for the unbelievable save on Hyman and then the rebound on Jack Roslovic. And while Darnell Nurse also had a role in the winner, Pickard let a soft goal in.

Ultimately, two missed saves late in the game doomed the Oilers in what was otherwise an excellent game.

The Edmonton Oilers will play the final game of their East Coast trip on Saturday night in a Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan