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With Tristan Jarry out until mid-January, Oilers’ goalie decisions to be made on ‘game by game’ basis
Edmonton Oilers Connor Ingram
Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Michael Menzies
Jan 1, 2026, 16:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 1, 2026, 16:06 EST
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With Tristan Jarry not expected to return to the Edmonton Oilers crease any sooner than mid-January, goaltending decisions will be made on a “game-by-game” basis, head coach Kris Knoblauch said.
Connor Ingram had a poor showing for the first time since his recall, allowing six goals on 29 shots against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, in just his fourth start. 
It was the first game this season that his save percentage was sub-.900 as his record fell to 2-2 on the year. 
Knoblauch was asked how he plans to deploy his goalies moving forward, with the Oilers wanting to get a good look at Ingram to make the best decision they can when Jarry is available. 
“Almost game-by-game, or at least two games ahead,” Knoblauch said post-game. 
“Ingram came in, played well in that first game. We gave him the game back, and then we had the break after Christmas, and then he returned and played after that. Obviously, with Picks [Pickard] playing as well as he did, that certainly will affect our decision. He’ll most likely play the next game.” 
Calvin Pickard has provided more quality starts as of late after a rocky road to begin the season. 
He carried the Oilers in Winnipeg for a 41-save beauty win 2-1 on December 29th, and his last five appearances have been much better. He stopped 32 shots in a tough loss in Minnesota, and stonewalled the Bruins on December 18th when forced into action from the Jarry injury. 
“We’ll see how Picks plays that next game and go from there,” said Knoblauch. “We definitely want to see how Ingram’s playing.
“But we feel that we got two good quality goalies that can be for us for a backup role, and I guess we want the one who plays the best.”
Jarry, meanwhile, played two-and-a-half games in an Oilers sweater before suffering a lower-body injury in Boston. When asked about his status, Knoblauch said his return won’t be immediate.  
“I just broadly say, you know, mid-January. I don’t think it’d be any sooner than that.”
One half of the Oilers regular season is over, and Edmonton boasts a 20-15-6 record, which is currently first in the Pacific by a point. December concluded their best month of the season with a 9-5-1 record. 
The Oilers play eight games before a monster homestand begins on Jan. 18. Could that be seen as an ideal target for Jarry’s return? 
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