Connor Ingram: The Edmonton Oilers’ Potential Stanley Cup X-Factor
For Edmonton Oilers fans, goaltending has been a recurring storyline, a source of both hope and frustration. The past two playoff runs saw rollercoaster performances from Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. The trade for Tristan Jarry earlier this season initially felt like a solution, a silencing of the concerns. Unfortunately, Jarry’s performance – a .858 save percentage and 3.86 goals-against average in 19 games – didn’t quell those anxieties.
However, a new narrative is emerging, and it centers around Connor Ingram. Late in the season, Ingram is demonstrating why head coach Kris Knoblauch had faith in him as the team’s new number one goaltender. While the Oilers undoubtedly rely on the star power of Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard, and a healthy Leon Draisaitl to lead the charge, and understand the importance of depth, Ingram’s performance in the playoffs could be the deciding factor between hoisting the Stanley Cup and an early exit.
Ingram’s Recent Dominance
In his last five starts, Ingram has been nothing short of spectacular. He’s recorded a save percentage of .952 or better in three of those games, boasting a remarkable 1.92 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage overall during that stretch. He isn’t necessarily needing to make highlight-reel saves on every shot, but he’s consistently finding ways to keep the Oilers competitive.
Even in a tough 2-1 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche on April 13th, Ingram was a standout, stopping 31 of 32 shots. This ability to maintain focus and consistently stop the puck appears to be coming naturally to him.
“I’m not the guy for answers like that,” Ingram humbly stated. “I don’t really know what I’m doing out there, just stop the puck.”
A Late Bloomer Finding His Groove
Remarkably, the 29-year-old spent much of the season in the AHL before being called up in late December. Despite this, his 31 NHL games played this season are the most since his 50 appearances with the Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24. Ingram credits consistent playing time with helping him rediscover his form.
“It’s easier for me,” Ingram explained. “The more you play, the easier it gets. I’ve played 50 in this league before. This isn’t new to me. This is what you want, right? You want to be in there, you want to be in the mix, so that’s exactly as a goalie what you want.”
The Oilers’ success hinges on many factors, but the emergence of a reliable goaltender in Connor Ingram could be the key to unlocking their championship potential. Fans are cautiously optimistic, and for good reason. Ingram is proving he can handle the pressure and deliver when it matters most.
For more in-depth analysis, check out The Hockey News.
