The Edmonton Oilers had a lukewarm start to the season, but the team has shed all previous signs of sluggishness, fighting its way to the rarefied ranks of the Pacific Division with 44 points. Captain Connor McDavid has led his team to one exemplary performance after another, as the Oilers have won eight of their past 12 matches.
The Oilers-Calgary Flames showdown was a decisive statement about Edmonton’s renewed energy. Goalie Connor Ingram’s performance was unmissable, leaving a mark on McDavid.
Connor McDavid Shares Honest Feelings About Goalie Connor Ingram
The Oilers may have finally reached the end of their persistent goalie woes by striking a shocking trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins to acquire Tristan Jarry in return for contentious netminder, Stuart Skinner. Since he arrived in Edmonton, the former Penguins goalie has registered a save percentage of .887.
Things were going great for the goalie in the Oilers’ match against the Boston Bruins as he made 12 saves, but Jarry had to make a premature exit in the second period with an undisclosed injury. Eventually, the netminder was placed on the injured reserve and is set to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Recalled from the Bakersfield Condors for reinforcements, Ingram has risen to the occasion for the Oilers in Jarry’s absence, enabling the team to secure two successive victories. Against the Flames, the goalie registered a save percentage of .947, earning captain McDavid’s praise.
“He’s been solid. I’ve liked our game in front of him too, but he’s done the job that’s been asked of him. He’s been a rock back there,” the Oilers captain said in the aftermath of the team’s glorious victory over the Calgary outfit as reported by NHL’s independent correspondent, Gerry Moddejonge. McDavid was exceptional himself, scoring five assists against the Flames.
McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been going the extra mile for the team, strengthening their legacy as two of the league’s most formidable players.
“You look at the way the team’s rolling right now, winning a lot more games and it starts with those two. Over three or four weeks, they’ve been really rolling and scoring, and you see the leaders in points the last few weeks and those two are head and shoulders above everyone else,” Kris Knoblauch shared about the McDavid-Draisaitl duo.
The Oilers have higher odds of making the playoffs than the Florida Panthers at this point. According to Dom Luszczyszyn, the Edmonton outfit has a 94% chance of making the playoffs, compared to the Panthers’ 74%. There were concerns about the Oilers’ performance in the early stages of the season, but the team now appears hungry for success.
As for Ingram, the netminder has so far successfully proved that Stan Bowman’s decision to acquire him despite his documented history of mental health struggles was far from a mistake.
