How Did Tristan Jarry Do on His Oilers Debut? Latest on Edmonton’s New Goaltender

Tristan Jarry makes his Oilers debut against the Maple Leafs after a blockbuster trade, delivering a strong performance and giving Edmonton stability in goal.

The Edmonton Oilers shook up their crease Friday with a blockbuster swap, sending Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tristan Jarry. Edmonton also added Samuel Poulin. Pittsburgh received defenseman Brett Kulak and a second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft.

Less than 24 hours later, Jarry was between the pipes for his first start in Oilers colors against the Leafs. Here’s how it went.

Tristan Jarry Shines in Oilers Debut Against the Maple Leafs

Jarry stopped 25 of 28 shots in a 6-3 Edmonton win. He finished with a .893 save percentage and 1.06 goals saved above expected. He came up with several timely saves, some at critical moments, to keep the game close early and steady things when Toronto pushed. Three goals aside, it was a confident, winning debut.

After the game, Jarry said the biggest challenge was simply settling in quickly. “As the game goes on, it’s a lot of the same game, just a different place with a different uniform. That was the biggest thing, just trying to settle in as quick as possible, play my game and be sound for them. They did a great job possessing the puck, back checking, holding on to the puck and that led to a lot of opportunities for us tonight.”

Jarry is in the third year of his five-year, $26.875 million contract and has a familiar tie to the city, having played major junior in Edmonton with the WHL’s Oil Kings.

The move carried emotions, too. He said he’s grateful for his time in Pittsburgh, but hearing the trade involved the Oilers, “It was unbelievable,” Jarry said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better, it’s very exciting.”

This season, Jarry has posted a 2.69 GAA and a .908 save percentage, marking a strong rebound after a turbulent 2024–25 in Pittsburgh, which featured defensive struggles and a short stint on waivers.

“There was a choice to be made. Whether I wanted to pack it in and call it, or if I wanted to learn from that experience. Learning from that experience has made me a stronger person and a better goalie,” said Jarry after discovering his form. ”

ALSO READ: Tristan Jarry Trade Winners and Losers: Where Oilers and Penguins Stand

Jarry replaces Skinner, whose up-and-down season fueled months of trade speculation before the Oilers finally made a change. It’s just one game, but if this debut is any indication, Edmonton may have found the steadier presence they were looking for in net.

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