The Edmonton Oilers appear to have steadied their season after an uneven start. Despite a 6-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, Edmonton remains atop the Pacific Division and continues to look like a legitimate contender.
One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Oilers this season has been their goaltending situation. On that front, head coach Kris Knoblauch has now provided an update on injured netminder Tristan Jarry.
Edmonton Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch Provides Update on Tristan Jarry’s Status
Jarry suffered a lower-body injury during last month’s 3-1 win over the Bruins, forcing him to exit the game early. Shortly after, he was placed on injured reserve, cutting short what had been a promising start to his Oilers tenure. He appeared in just three games for Edmonton following his trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, and won all three.
Speaking after Wednesday’s loss, Knoblauch shared a general timeline for Jarry’s return but cautioned that nothing is imminent. “Nothing immediate, I can just broadly say mid-January. I don’t think it’d be any sooner than that,” he said.
In response to Jarry’s injury, the Oilers recalled Connor Ingram from the Bakersfield Condors, with Ingram and Calvin Pickard splitting time in goal. The duo has rotated starts as the coaching staff evaluates its options.
Ingram has appeared in four games, posting a 2-2 record, though he allowed six goals in Wednesday’s loss to Boston. Pickard has also gone 2-2 but is coming off a strong performance, stopping 41 of 42 shots in his most recent outing.
Knoblauch explained that the goaltending rotation is being handled on a short-term basis. “Almost game by game or at least two games ahead,” he said.
He pointed out that Ingram impressed in his initial start, which led to another appearance, and after the Christmas break, he was back in the crease once more. Knoblauch also acknowledged that Pickard’s recent strong performances have factored into the rotation, with Pickard expected to get the nod in the next game. “We’ll see how Picks plays that next game and go from there.“
The coach added that the team is comfortable with both options filling the backup role for now. “We feel that we got two good quality goalies that can be for are for us back up role,” Knoblauch added.
Despite the challenges in goal, the Oilers have managed to stay afloat, recording a 6-4 record without Skinner. The Oilers will next host the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday in Edmonton.
