The Edmonton Oilers have been forced to place their newly acquired goaltender, Tristan Jarry, on the injured reserve list. The National Hockey League (NHL) club made the official announcement on Friday, following an unfortunate incident during a game against the Boston Bruins.
How the Injury Occurred
The setback happened during Thursday night's clash in Boston, which the Oilers won 3-1. Jarry, a two-time All-Star, suffered a lower-body injury midway through the second period. The incident occurred when the goalie made a swift lateral movement, pushing from his left to right in an attempt to make a save. He was seen leaving the game slowly after the play and did not return.
Taking his place between the pipes was Calvin Pickard, who performed admirably by stopping all 12 shots he faced in relief. After the game, head coach Kris Knoblauch did not provide a specific update on Jarry's condition. However, Pickard offered a concerning observation to Sportsnet, stating, "It didn't look good."
Oilers' Goaltending Shuffle: Ingram Steps In
To address the sudden vacancy, the Oilers have turned to the American Hockey League (AHL). The club has recalled netminder Connor Ingram from their affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. Ingram is now slated to serve as the backup to Calvin Pickard while Jarry recovers.
Ingram's journey to Edmonton this season has been eventful. The 28-year-old was acquired from the Utah Mammoth in early October after being placed on waivers. His performance with the Condors has been challenging, where he registered a 4.04 goals-against average (GAA) and an .856 save percentage across 11 games. Last season with Utah, he posted a 3.27 GAA and an .882 save percentage in 22 appearances.
Jarry's Impact and the Trade Context
This injury is a significant blow for the Oilers, coming just one week after they secured Jarry in a notable trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The deal also brought forward Sam Poulin to Edmonton, in exchange for goalie Stuart Skinner, defenceman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round draft pick.
Despite some shaky underlying numbers, Jarry had made an immediate positive impact for his new team. He had won all three of his starts for the Oilers since the trade. Over those appearances, he maintained a 3.08 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage. For the entire season, split between Pittsburgh and Edmonton, his stats stand at a 2.77 GAA and a .905 save percentage through 16 games.
The Oilers now face a period of uncertainty in their crease. The team will rely on the duo of Calvin Pickard and Connor Ingram to hold the fort until their primary goaltender, Tristan Jarry, can make a return from the injured reserve list.
