5 In A Row: Jarry Settling In As Oilers Continue Streak

The Edmonton Oilers are on a roll, and thankfully, goaltender Tristan Jarry is starting to chip in. After a brutal game versus the Dallas Stars, but then a solid outing where it was hard to judge his performance against the Utah Mammoth  -- he earned the win but only faced 18 shots -- the netminder put up a second solid outing against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night. 

Don't look now, but a positive pattern is forming. And the timing couldn't be more perfect.

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"Jarry made some great, one really good save at the end of the first period," said Kris Knoblauch. When asked what's been leading to Jarry's turnaround, the coach credited the extra hours in practice as a huge contributor for both netminders. "The players are shooting on them, but also the goalies are getting on early, and they're working on very technical things..." As for Jarry, "You know, he hasn't played very much in the last few weeks, last two starts he's been very solid. Tonight, I thought he was outstanding."

It's got to be a nice feeling for the Oilers to have two goalies trending in the right direction. That arguably hasn't happened all season.

Connor Ingram has let his play do the talking over the past several weeks, earning the Edmonton Oilers Player of the Month honors for March. Still, questions about how heavily the Oilers can lean on him were inevitable.

With Tristan Jarry stepping in and delivering solid performances in his recent starts, the pressure on Ingram to be perfect every night has eased.

Jarry may not have reclaimed the starting role—head coach Kris Knoblauch has indicated Ingram remains the go-to option for now—but his last two outings should at least prompt the Oilers to consider giving him another start.

"Those guys have been great for us here when we're leaning on them," said Adam Henrique. "So that's something we're going to need to continue." Henrique scored on Thursday as well, his first in 50 games. 

Henrique is right. As much as the forwards and defensemen have elevated their respective games and with the team stepping up in the absence of Leon Draisaitl, the play of both Ingram and Jarry has been critical to this five-game winning streak the Oilers are on. 

"I think our group's just been really attentive this week, these past few weeks. I think we're really buying in. Obviously, we know how important this time of year is and the push we have to make the playoffs and secure a really good seed. So guys know how big a time of year it is, and guys are digging in," said Matt Savoie. 

That Jarry has joined in on the fun and is putting up excellent outings only adds to the newfound level of confidence this Oilers team seems to have. It's five in a row and first place in the Pacific Division is quickly becoming a possibility. 

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