Connor Ingram Is The Oilers' Playoff X-Factor

We've all become familiar with goaltending being a storyline for the Edmonton Oilers.

It persisted over the last two playoffs with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard patrolling the crease with rollercoaster play. And after the Oilers traded Skinner for Tristan Jarry earlier this season, it felt like any negative talk about the goaltending came to an end.

That feeling was wrong. Jarry's had an .858 save percentage and 3.86 goals-against average in 19 games with the Oilers.

Connor Ingram Deserved Better in Oilers' 2-1 Shootout Loss

Connor Ingram battled valiantly, stonewalling an elite Avalanche squad until the shootout. The Oilers' offense faltered even with their defensive game coming along.

With Ingram continuing to show the Oilers can rely on him more often, the ability to stay focused and stop the shots seems to come naturally to him right now.

"I'm not the guy for answers like that," Ingram said. "I don't really know what I'm doing out there, just stop the puck."

Despite the 29-year-old playing in the AHL until late December, his 31 NHL games played so far are the most since his 50 with the Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24.

Ingram said being able to play consistently and at a high volume has helped him get back into a groove in net.

"It's easier for me," Ingram said. "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."

Watch Avry Lewis-McDougall's video column above for more.

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 2:34 PM.