In a crucial performance under the microscope, goaltender Connor Ingram stood tall for the Edmonton Oilers, securing a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Rogers Place.
A Goaltender Steps Into the Spotlight
With starter Stuart Skinner traded, Tristan Jarry injured, and backup Calvin Pickard having played the previous night, the Oilers turned to Connor Ingram for his first NHL start in nearly a year. The move raised eyebrows, given Ingram's recent struggles in the American Hockey League, where he posted a 4.04 goals-against average and an .856 save percentage. However, the netminder silenced any doubt with a solid 27-save outing against Vegas goaltender Carter Hart.
Oilers' Offensive Onslaught and Defensive Lapse
The Oilers' elite talent provided ample early support. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins led the charge with two goals and an assist, while captain Connor McDavid contributed a goal and two helpers. Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl each added two points as Edmonton built a commanding 4-0 lead by the midway point of the second period.
However, familiar inconsistency crept in. Edmonton managed just six shots in the second period and a mere three in the third, allowing the Golden Knights to mount a fierce comeback. Vegas forward Tomas Hertl broke the shutout late in the second, and third-period goals from Pavel Dorofeyev and Mitch Marner brought the score to 4-3, creating a tense final stretch. The Oilers ultimately held on, improving their record to 9-4-1 over their last 14 games.
Injury Update in the Crease
Head coach Kris Knoblauch provided a vague but concerning update on injured goaltender Tristan Jarry before the game. While the specific nature of the injury remains undisclosed, Knoblauch confirmed Jarry will be out until sometime in the New Year. "He's going to be out for a couple of weeks. We won't see him until the New Year, at some point," Knoblauch stated. This marks the second lower-body injury for Jarry in three months, having previously missed three weeks in November while with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ingram's timely performance offers a vital respite for an Edmonton team navigating significant uncertainty between the pipes, proving that even unexpected heroes can emerge in the pressure cooker of an NHL season.
