The Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation has been a persistent talking point, and the mid-season trade that sent Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry has only intensified the debate about which goalie is the better fit for the team. Both goalies have experienced highs and lows since the trade, prompting a closer look at their performance and how they align with the Oilers' style of play.
Prior to the trade, Jarry was demonstrating a bounce-back performance with the Penguins, posting a 9-3-1 record in 14 games with a .909 save percentage. Skinner's numbers with the Oilers were a 2.83 goals-against average (GAA) and a .891 save percentage. Since joining the Oilers, Jarry has a 6-3-1 record, with a 3.59 GAA and a .873 save percentage. Meanwhile, Skinner's numbers with the Penguins show a 2.31 GAA and a .906 save percentage in his first 11 games. It's notable that both goalies have statistically performed better with their new teams than they did with their former ones.
One key area of focus is how each goalie performs against high-danger shots. Before the trade, Jarry ranked eighth in high-danger save percentage among goalies who faced at least 100 high-danger shots, with a .848 percentage. Skinner, in contrast, had a .760 high-danger save percentage, which was below the league average. However, it is important to note that overall team defense plays a significant role in these numbers.
The Oilers' offensive prowess, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, is undeniable. However, their defensive game has been a subject of concern. Jarry himself pointed to the Oilers' offensive-minded approach as a potential problem, noting that taking chances can lead to breakdowns and scoring opportunities for the opposition. In games that Jarry has played for the Oilers, they're averaging 4.44 goals, whereas in Skinner's 23 starts for Edmonton this season, the Oilers averaged 3.17 goals. This suggests that the Oilers are providing more scoring support for Jarry than they did for Skinner.
Ultimately, the question of which goalie fits the Oilers better remains complex. Skinner has more playoff experience, helping the Oilers advance to the Western Conference Second Round or deeper in the past three seasons. Jarry, on the other hand, has not advanced past the first round in his career. Playoff performance is often the ultimate measure of a goalie's value, as noted by hockey analysts.
Recently, the Oilers placed Calvin Pickard on waivers, further solidifying Jarry and Connor Ingram as the team's goaltending duo. After a recent loss to the Minnesota Wild, where Jarry allowed five goals on 20 shots, coach Kris Knoblauch continues to rotate Jarry and Ingram. Jarry acknowledged the need for the team to tighten up defensively, emphasizing that it's a "whole team game".
As the Oilers continue their quest for their first championship since 1990, the performance of their goaltenders will be under constant scrutiny. Whether Jarry can provide the stability and consistency they need, or if Skinner will thrive in his new environment in Pittsburgh, remains to be seen.