The Edmonton Oilers remain in a close playoff race, but questions around their goaltending have not gone away. Their recent 5-2 win over the Utah Mammoth improved their standing to second in the Pacific Division, though it also showed how much the team relies on support across the lineup. The offense continues to produce when needed, but the results in goal have seen many ups and downs.
This shifts the focus to their spending in net and where Tristan Jarry fits after his latest start.
What Tristan Jarry’s Win Means for the Oilers’ Goaltending Concerns
The Oilers’ struggles in goal align with a wider trend across the league, where spending does not always lead to better results.
NHL insider Harman Dayal explained this clearly in his recent column for The Athletic, writing that “goaltending is becoming increasingly unpredictable,” and Edmonton’s numbers this season support that view as they hold a negative goals saved above expected despite their spending.
He also noted “there is zero statistical correlation” between spending and results in goal, which has become clear with several high-paid goaltenders facing similar issues.
Dayal added, “If you look at the NHL’s nine worst goalies in terms of GSAx, seven of them have a cap hit of at least $4.5 million. This includes some established names and Stanley Cup winners, including Ullmark, Bobrovsky, Binnington, Jacob Markstrom, Hill, Tristan Jarry, and Kevin Lankinen.”
That context places Edmonton’s return on its goaltending investment among the more concerning cases.
The financial picture adds another layer, as Jarry and Connor Ingram combine for a $7,325,000 cap hit this season, yet the overall return has not matched that investment.
“Just doing my thing and trying to grow with every period and every shot.”
Tristan Jarry joins @GenePrincipe after picking up the win with the Oilers in Utah. pic.twitter.com/MALsIOkxCu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 25, 2026
Jarry alone carries a $5,375,000 cap hit under his five-year, $26,875,000 contract, but his performance has not been consistent since joining the team. His form after the Olympic break has been difficult; in a recent stretch of five games, he allowed 22 goals on 115 shots, including a 7-goal outing against Dallas on March 12 that led to him moving into a backup role behind Ingram.
However, his recent start against Utah on March 24 offered a better picture, even if it was not a dominant performance. He stopped 16 of 18 shots and benefited from strong support in front of him, which he acknowledged after the game while speaking to Gene Principe.
Jarry said, “They played awesome. I think it started from the very beginning. They were doing everything in their power. They were blocking shots, they were getting pucks deep, and I think when we’re playing with that kind of urgency, it helps, and it was a great game.”
He also described his own effort, saying, “I think I just kept growing as the game went on. Just doing my thing and trying to grow with every period and every shot, and obviously, the guys were a huge help tonight.”
Meanwhile, Ingram remains the more trusted option right now, but Jarry’s performance against Utah gives the Oilers something to work with. They will need more reliable outings in net, yet this game at least provides a base as they continue their push toward the playoffs.
