Pressure Is on Connor Ingram to Come Through for the Oilers

One of the biggest question marks coming into the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Edmonton Oilers will be the play of their goaltenders, especially their starter, Connor Ingram. Will Ingram continue his strong, steady play from the regular season? If he falters, can the Oilers trust backup Tristan Jarry, or do they turn to popular teammate and third goalie Calvin Pickard? The net is clearly Ingram’s after his inspired performance down the stretch that helped the Oilers finish second in the NHL’s Pacific Division. The pressure is also squarely on Ingram to perform in the postseason.

An Unexpected Surprise in Edmonton

When Ingram was signed on Oct. 1, many felt he was a good insurance pickup by Oilers general manager Stan Bowman. The Saskatchewan native was immediately sent down to the Oilers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Bakersfield after signing, where he appeared in 11 games for the Condors.

After both Oilers goalies, Stuart Skinner and Pickard, had rough starts to the 2025-26 NHL season, Skinner was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 12 for Jarry, and on Dec. 19, Ingram was called up from Bakersfield to fill in for Jarry, who had been injured.

A Slow, Steady Journey to Becoming the Oilers’ Starter

Ingram started his first game, a 4-3 Oilers victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 21, and slowly but surely, he began his rise to Oilers starter. After Jarry came back from injury on Jan. 13, things got interesting in the Oilers net. Jarry couldn’t find his game, and Oilers management lost trust in Pickard, so they started to rely on Ingram more and more.

After Pickard was placed on waivers on Feb. 1, it was clear the Oilers were counting on Ingram to come through. He did it to the point where Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch declared him the Oilers starter on March 15. From that moment on, it seems Ingram got better and better.

Ingram’s Strong Play Earns Masterton Trophy Nomination

Ingram’s unexpected rise to becoming the starter for the Oilers and his strong play helped earn him a Masterton Trophy nomination on April 8. Ingram won the award back in 2024 with the Arizona Coyotes. He has struggled with personal issues at times throughout his NHL career and has received help from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program.

It seems like his call-up to the Oilers gave him a new lease on life, which he has run with, compiling 16 wins and a 2.60 goals-against average (GAA) in 32 appearances with Edmonton. Now Ingram finds himself ready to start Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday, April 20, against the Anaheim Ducks.

Ingram Bringing Back Memories of Former Oilers Goaltender Dwayne Roloson

Ingram only has three games of playoff experience under his belt, all losses during his time with the Nashville Predators in the 2022 NHL postseason. Despite the 0-3 record, he did compile a respectable .913 save percentage (SV%). Ingram’s inspired play for the Oilers down the stretch has him being compared to former Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson, who had 15 playoff appearances before coming to the Oilers for the final 19 games of the 2005-06 NHL season.

Roloson quickly became an Oilers legend, backstopping Edmonton to the 2006 Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Oilers haven’t had a goalie they can trust to come up huge in big moments since Roloson left Edmonton in 2009. However, they may have found one in Ingram.

Expectations High for Ingram and the Oilers in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Since the Olympic break, the Oilers have become one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. That’s something that has really helped Ingram. However, his inspired play down the stretch has Oilers fans thinking the organization may have finally found the goalie who can take the team to the promised land. Time will tell, as the spotlight and pressure will be squarely on Ingram to continue his strong play.

If Ingram does come through at big moments for the Oilers in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it’ll undoubtedly be a story for the ages in Oil Country.