Connor Ingram has Kris Knoblauch focused on the Oilers’ biggest problem in the playoffs, and it’s happening right in front of the goal.
This is the main issue right now in Edmonton. The Ducks are ahead in the series, and the debate about who is in goal can’t be ignored by the Oilers anymore.
The stats are not pretty after three games. Ingram has a save percentage of . 849 and has let in 14 goals.
That would be enough to upset fans in a playoff city. But there’s an even worse number when you look closer.
A report shows that Ingram’s -3.0 goals saved above expected puts him second to last among all the goalies in the playoffs so far.
The changes in his performance from game to game tell a bigger story. He started up with a +1.12 in Game 1, but dropped to -2.14 in Game 2 and then -2.02 in Game 3.
According to MoneyPuck.com, Ingram is rated as the second-worst playoff goalie, with -3.0 goals saved above expected.
This is serious trouble for the Oilers right before tonight’s game: Connor Ingram is facing issues.
This means it’s not just about how poorly Edmonton’s defense is playing. The team in front of Ingram hasn’t done well enough, but the stats show that the goalie isn’t doing a good job either.
That puts a lot of pressure on Knoblauch. When a series starts to go badly and the goalie’s stats look this way, the coach has to consider a change, even if he doesn’t really want to.
The report suggests that Tristan Jarry could be a possible choice for Game 4. However, this isn’t a calm choice either, since Jarry’s playoff history isn’t great at 2-6 with a . 891 save percentage.
Calvin Pickard is brought up too, but that same report suggests that this option seems unlikely right now. So the Oilers might have to decide between keeping a starter who is having a tough time or going for a risky choice.
This is what makes the situation so tricky for Edmonton. The issue is genuine, but the solution isn’t straightforward.
The only small relief is that Anaheim’s Lukas Dostal has also been struggling with the same statistic at -3.2. However, that doesn’t really help the Oilers, since they are the experienced team that should be in charge of this series.
Instead, they are getting pulled into another debate about goaltending during the playoffs. In Edmonton, everyone understands how quickly that can ruin a series.
The Oilers still have a chance. But if Ingram can’t come up with a big save soon, then Knoblauch’s next choice for goalie might end up shaping the entire first round.
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