EDMONTON – Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry struggled to assess his performance following a tough outing against the Minnesota Wild. He allowed five goals on just 20 shots before being pulled in the second period during a 7-3 loss.
Jarry Reflects on Team Challenges
Jarry highlighted the high-quality scoring opportunities the Oilers surrendered. “It’s tough. The chances we are giving up, some of the shots, they’re tough. It’s a lot of Grade A’s, a lot of breakdowns,” Jarry said. “So I think it’s tough for me to really think about your game at this point. It’s a whole team game.”
Connor Ingram stepped in for relief duty, stopping seven of 10 shots faced as Minnesota pulled away for the decisive victory. The Oilers, holding a 28-20-8 record, have now conceded 25 goals across their last five games. Despite securing wins in three of those matchups, Edmonton’s defensive lapses proved too costly this time.
“Everyone knows when we play the game that we want to put on the ice, that will put us on the better side of things,” Jarry added. “But to be on that side, we just have to tighten up and eliminate some of the chances.”
Defensive Fundamentals in Focus
Defenceman Jake Walman emphasized returning to basic principles to reduce goals against. Edmonton has allowed an average of 3.18 goals per game this season, ranking 12th in the NHL.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch pointed to the quality of chances as the primary issue. “The amount of chances isn’t that many. The quality of the chances is something that’s got to be addressed,” Knoblauch stated. “It has to get better, more perimeter shots, less breakaways or 2-on-1s, odd-man rushes, those kind of things that are leading to goals. So, that’s what I see right now.”
Key Moments from the Game
Minnesota opened the scoring on the power play 6:15 into the first period after Curtis Lazar received a high-sticking penalty. Wild defenceman Quinn Hughes delivered a swift pass to Joel Eriksson Ek, who charged into the slot and fired a shot into the top-right corner, tying the game at 1-1.
The Wild capitalized again late in the period on another man-advantage opportunity. Jarry turned away Mats Zuccarello’s attempt, but the rebound found Eriksson Ek, who set up Kirill Kaprizov at the net’s side for a quick finish, knotting the score at 2-2 with 36 seconds left.
Edmonton’s penalty kill unit has struggled recently, allowing six goals on 14 infractions over the past four games. Knoblauch described it as inconsistent. “In two of the last three games, we’ve given up, between those two games five goals-against. So, there’s your answer right there. You can’t do that,” the coach said. “Whether it’s not getting a save from your goaltender or giving up chances, I think it’s a little bit of both.”
Wallstedt Shines for Minnesota
Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt delivered a stellar performance, turning aside 39 of 42 shots. The 23-year-old Swedish netminder improved to 15-5-4 on the season, maintaining a .914 save percentage, 2.72 goals-against average, and four shutouts.
Wallstedt remained unfazed by the Oilers’ star forwards, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. “That’s what we have in Zuccarello and Kaprizov, too,” he noted. “I see them every day in practice. I thought when their top players were out, there a lot of times they were looking to make one or two more plays. And sometimes I was in position and sometimes I was a little out of position, but it worked out well.”
Western Conference Standings Update
Minnesota holds second place in the Western Conference with a 32-14-10 record, trailing only the Colorado Avalanche (36-8-9). The Dallas Stars sit one point back for third in the Central Division.
The Oilers occupy second in the Pacific Division, level on points with the Vegas Golden Knights (25-15-4) but with two more games played.
