When Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch made the call to go with Connor Ingram rather than Tristan Jarry in net for the biggest game of the season on Tuesday, it was not a random choice. It was a calculated decision based on Ingram's recent performance and workload.
Easy decision for Knoblauch
Ingram played the first three playoff games, allowing 11 goals in Games 2 and 3 against the Anaheim Ducks. Jarry then started Game 4, losing 4-3 on a controversial overtime winner by Ryan Poehling. Despite the loss, Knoblauch felt confident in returning to Ingram.
“I thought it was an easy decision,” said Knoblauch. “Connor was our starter down the stretch (playoff run) and we had a lot of confidence in him… maybe it’s different if we lose Game 4 just 1-0, maybe that makes it more difficult, but in an elimination game? We discussed it and decided we were going to play the guy who had the load for us the last few weeks (regular-season).”
Knoblauch's history with goalie changes
This is not the first time Knoblauch has made a goalie switch in the playoffs. In the 2024 second round against Vancouver, he replaced starter Stuart Skinner with Calvin Pickard for two games. Last spring, he swapped out Skinner for Pickard in the opening round against Los Angeles, and Pickard started six consecutive wins before an injury. He also alternated goalies in the Stanley Cup Final against Florida.
Ingram's response
Ingram understood the decision and felt he was not performing well after Game 3. He was kept informed about the plan to sit him out. “I thought Jars was great in the game, gave us a chance… as for the communication beforehand, they let me know the plan. I had no problem with it. I was frustrated with myself after Game 3 and to be able to give myself a break physically and mentally was huge. So a good idea (sitting out),” said Ingram.
In Game 5, Ingram made 29 saves on 30 shots, with the only goal against coming on a power play to Alex Killorn, a shot he had no chance to stop. He made a key blocker save on Leo Carlsson late in the first period to preserve a 3-0 lead.
“He didn’t face many (five shots) in the first but that was huge save at a big moment,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “Goaltending as I’ve said before, is not about saving them all, it’s about saving the right ones and that was the right one.”
The decision proved correct for Game 5, keeping the Oilers alive in the series.
