Tristan Jarry left last night’s game with an injury. It looked like it might be a muscle strain (maybe core or groin), but nothing is confirmed yet.

Here is the video.

Jarry had played quite well up to that point in the game, but it isn’t ideal for the Oilers seeing their new goalie injured in his third start. Jarry hasn’t had any significantly long injuries, but he’s had injuries that caused him to miss one month, three weeks and another for a week to 10 days. We will see how long he’s out this time.

— First off, the Oilers need to know the extent of the injury, because whether it’s short-term, mid-term or long-term will impact general manager Stan Bowman’s thought process. The NHL Christmas roster freeze begins tonight at 11:59 p.m. MT. A mid- or long-term injury would likely lead to a trade, and if they want an NHL goalie from outside the organization for this weekend’s back-to-backs games, the trade needs to occur today.

If it is short term, the easiest move is to recall Connor Ingram or Matt Tomkins from Bakersfield. Tompkins has made four starts in December and allowed 10 goals on 125 shots for a .920 save percentage and a 2.47 GAA. Ingram has made three starts and allowed 16 goals on 87 shots for an .839 save percentage and a 5.47 GAA. You can’t just base a goalie’s play off of GAA and Sv%, the defensive play also matters, because if you watched his last start where he allowed seven goals, at least five, probably six, weren’t his fault. Some goalies are excellent at scrambling, but Ingram is at his best when he’s under control. The AHL style of play is often more scrambly and unpredictable than the NHL and that is why I expect he will be recalled.

The Oilers play in Minnesota tomorrow, host Vegas on Sunday and Calgary on the 23rd before Christmas and they will need another goalie if Jarry can’t dress as the backup.

— Jesper Wallstedt played 103 games in the AHL and had a .902Sv% and a 2.90 GAA. His stats weren’t unreal, but this season in the NHL he’s been outstanding. Some goalies have great number in the AHL, others have okay and others not great, but the NHL is very different. Ingram has played well before in the NHL and that’s why the Oiler acquired him.

— I jokingly tweeted “Alex Lyon come on down,” after Jarry was injured. I don’t think Lyon is easily available right now. The Sabres have won four games in a row and Lyon has won all four. He relieved Colton Ellis in Edmonton, after he left the game, and Lyon won that game and has made three starts since and he’s allowed only nine goals on 107 shots (.916sv%). The Sabres are only five points out of a playoff spot with a game in hand. I don’t see them trading Lyon today.

— Would Boston be interested in trading Micheal DiPietro? He is 10-4 with a 1.97 GAA and .933Sv% in Providence. They also have Simon Zajicek who is two years younger and has almost identical numbers (2.02 GAA and .932SV%) as Dipietro. I think Dipietro has NHL potential and just needs an opportunity.

— Laurent Brossoit makes $3.3-million and he hasn’t played an NHL game since April 28th, 2024, when he played 18 minutes in relief of Connor Hellebuyck in the playoffs. Brossoit missed all of last season recovering from a knee injury. Even if the Hawks retained 50 percent of his salary, he’d still have a $1.65-m cap hit. I don’t see that making sense for Edmonton, unless it is closer to the deadline and you’ve seen Brossoit perform well in the AHL.

— Carolina is currently carrying three goalies on their 23-man roster. Brandon Bussi, who they claimed on waivers earlier this season, has won 11 of his 12 starts. He and Pyotr Kochetkov have started the past seven games, while Freddie Anderson has dressed as the backup a few times. Considering their injury history with goalies, I don’t see them moving one of them anytime soon.

— Montreal has three goalies on the roster, although Samuel Montembeault is on a conditioning stint in the AHL. He makes $3.15m while Jakub Dobes ($965K) and Jacob Fowler ($923K) are rotating starts. I see little reason for them to move either of Dobes (24 years old) or Fowler (21) at this moment.

— There aren’t many viable trade options right now, and a recall seems the most likely outcome, at least for the upcoming three games.

— The scouting report I got from Keith Gretzky when Quinn Hutson was recalled was that the biggest improvement in his game was how strong he’s been on the puck. He’s learned to go to the net and get sticks on pucks, and that’s exactly what he did on his first NHL goal, the eventual game winner in Boston last night. What a great moment for Hutson, who went to Boston University for three seasons.

The Oilers desperately needed some offence from the bottom six, and they’ve produced two goals the past two games. I know Leon Draisaitl was on for the Hutson goal, but it was Jones and Hutson winning the battle in the corner, and that led to Jones walking out and shooting on net, and Hutson banging home the rebound. A massive goal and assist for those two and for the team.

The Olympic rosters will be announced on December 31st, and I think Evan Bouchard has a solid case to make the team. Many can’t get over the fact he’s made a few 10-bell giveaways. I get it. It is frustrating to watch, but when you combine his elite play in the playoffs the past few seasons and his play since November 1st this year, I think he has a strong case to make the team.

The above shows the 5×5 play of the 10 D-men who are likely in the running to make Team Canada. Bouchard is tied with Chychrun, Makar and Schaefer for being on the ice for the fewest goals against. But the next table illustrates how good Bouchard has been on a team that is still allowing too many goals.

Below you will see each player’s GF%, but then their team’s total GF-GA since November 1st and each team’s GF-GA and GF% without that D-man on the ice.

The Oilers have been outscored 45-22 without Bouchard on the ice since November 1st. Vegas struggles without Theodore as Winnipeg does without Morrissey. Colorado is a wagon as they are slightly better without Makar on the ice, which is wild.

I understand those who are hesitant to have Bouchard on the team, because they remember some of the glaring miscues/giveaways he’s made, but most of those were in October and his playoff resume, combined with his recent play and his outstanding puck moving ability, makes him a strong candidate to wear the red and white in February.

Thanks to Blair for his great bid on the L’OCA and Sherbrooke Liquor package yesterday.