6 Best Calvin Pickard Saves for Colorado Avalanche

Pickard Debuts with Save on Karlsson

Maybe Calvin Pickard has ice water in his veins. How else to explain his calm debut in the NHL? It certainly shouldn’t have been calm. He started the day in Chicago preparing to play with the AHL Lake Erie Monsters. He then traveled to Ottawa to play backup to Avalanche goalie Reto Berra.

Then, 2 1/2 minutes into the game, Berra suffered an injury. Not only was Pickard going to play in the NHL, he was going to do it in difficult circumstances — by going in as backup after an injury.

Of course, the faceoff was in the Avs zone. And who should be lined up ready to introduce Pickard to the world of tending goal in the NHL? Erik Karlsson, the Ottawa Senators’ offensive defenseman. Erik Karlsson, the team leader in points.

Karlsson unleashed his slap shot through traffic, but Pickard wasn’t fooled. He made his first NHL save.