The Edmonton Oilers continue searching for stability in goal as the season moves forward. Despite sitting third in the Pacific Division, the team has struggled to find consistency, going 3-3 since returning from the Olympic break.
Those concerns have put renewed attention on the team’s decision to acquire goaltender Tristan Jarry earlier this season.
Former NHL GM Brian Lawton Delivers Blunt Take on Oilers’ Tristan Jarry Gamble
The Oilers made a bold move in December, trading Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Jarry. He initially showed signs he could steady things, winning his first three starts with Edmonton. But the early optimism faded quickly as inconsistency crept into his game.
Jarry has now posted a 3.96 GAA and an .862 SV% with the Oilers.
The crease is now effectively being shared with Connor Ingram, who has recently taken the upper hand. Since the Olympic break, Ingram has started four games compared to Jarry’s two.
Looking at their recent numbers, the difference has been noticeable. Over the last 10 starts between them, Jarry has recorded two quality starts (20%) with a -7.4 Goals Saved Above Expected, while Ingram has produced five quality starts (50%) and a +0.7 GSAx.
Overall, Edmonton has received just seven quality starts from the pair over the last 20 games while allowing roughly 6.7 goals above expected. For a team with playoff ambitions, that type of goaltending makes it difficult to build any real momentum.
Former NHL general manager Brian Lawton weighed in on the situation and didn’t hold back when discussing the move to acquire Jarry.
“You know, Tristan Jarry was probably the biggest one. You know, they’ve made in my opinion,” Lawton said while discussing the Oilers’ key decisions this season.
He added that Jarry’s recent performances haven’t matched what the organization likely envisioned when making the trade.
“Jarry just hasn’t played well… he wasn’t in net last for their win over Vegas, obviously, and that’s because Connor Ingram has played better, and that was not the intent, I think with that move.”
Lawton believes the Oilers still need more time to see whether the gamble pays off, but he also stressed that the team cannot afford continued struggles in net.
Defensive Concerns Compound Edmonton’s Goaltending Woes
Beyond goaltending, Lawton also pointed to issues on the defensive side of the puck. According to him, Edmonton’s blue line hasn’t provided the kind of support that can help cover up inconsistent netminding.
“It was a pretty big red flag for me that a lot of people were ranking their D as a legitimate D. That’s the insulation from goaltending issues,” he said.
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Statistically, the Oilers’ defensive numbers support that concern. The team ranks among the bottom third of the league in goals against and on the penalty kill.
“If your goalie is not going to be great, you can hide a lot with a really strong D,” Lawton explained. “And those two factors just haven’t come together for them. So, it’s up to that squad to figure it out. It’s right in front of them.”
For now, Edmonton continues rotating its goaltenders while searching for stability. Up next, Edmonton faces the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
