The veteran goalie has rattled off three wins in his past four starts with the AHL's Condors. Is a return to Edmonton and the NHL in his future?
Don't look now, but Jack Campbell is on a roll.
The 31-year-old, demoted to the AHL after a brutal 4.50 GAA and .873 SP start through five games with the Oilers, has rattled off three wins in his last four starts.
In an imperfect performance, Campbell stopped 31 of 35 shots last night as the Condors moved past the streaking Texas Stars.
This follows up a 39-save effort against the Henderson Silver Knights on the 29th and a 30-save shutout against the same squad a week prior.
In seven games with Bakersfield, Campbell holds a 3.28 GAA and .893 SP, with a sub-500 winning record, though his highest struggles came at the beginning of his AHL tenure where the embattled starter yielded three straight contests with a combined 14 goals against.
This begs the question: has Campbell done enough to earn a return call to Oil Country?
Campbell's long-time tandem partner in Edmonton, Stuart Skinner, has been much improved as of late, recently stopping 25 of 26 shots as the Oilers lept past the Jets. Skinner has won four straight games following a disastrous four goals on 12 shots against on November 22nd.
With Skinner firmly in the starting role - for now - and backup Calvin Pickard seeing little in the way of playing time in the NHL, Campbell could feasibly see a return to the NHL in short order.
The Oilers are mounting something of a comeback in the standings after a horrific start to their season. A reliable veteran presence behind a resurgent Skinner could be a ticket to success.
Confidence and consistency will be key for not only Jack Campbell but the future of the Edmonton Oilers.