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Edmonton Oilers might make unusual goalie decision in tonight's game
The Edmonton Oilers could potentially make an unusual move in today's game against the Montreal Canadiens and start Tristan Jarry in back to back games.
The Oilers just acquired Jarry from the Penguins in a major trade, and he performed quite well in just first matchup against the Leafs. However, there could be a reason to get him in the net for back-to-back games.
Edmonton Oilers could start Tristan Jarry again tonight in back to back game
The Edmonton Oilers didn't hold a morning skate today, and Coach Knoblauch has yet to meet with the media. He didn't confirm a starting goalie for tonight's game last night, which has led some to believe Jarry could get the call.
Analysts at OilersNation believe Jarry may get the start against the Canadiens as a test. He was lit up by the Habs just a few weeks ago with the Penguins, and it could be a good litmus test on the new squad.
The Oilers are on the second night of a back-to-back. They have Calvin Pickard, who hasn't gone anywhere. In normal circumstances, you'd probably give your backup the Sunday game and let your new acquisition rest. But these aren't normal circumstances.
Now Jarry gets another shot at the same team. Different building. Same Canadiens roster. Different group in front of him. It would answer a specific question: was he the problem in Pittsburgh or was the team around him the issue?
- OilersNation
Now Jarry gets another shot at the same team. Different building. Same Canadiens roster. Different group in front of him. It would answer a specific question: was he the problem in Pittsburgh or was the team around him the issue?
- OilersNation
While there may be some merit to the idea that Jarry could play again tonight to get him quickly comfortable in Edmonton, it's not the best idea to start him again tonight. It also directly shows how much the Oilers need to improve on Calvin Pickard.
Jarry has been slightly injury prone through his career, and goalies are notoriously creatures of habit. Disrupting the usual flow of backups on back-to-backs may put some unnecessary risk on Jarry.
Not only that, but evaluating Jarry playing 2 games in a row would be difficult under the circumstances. As for comparing performance against his last game in Montreal, that's useless with an entirely different team in front of him.
Perhaps the Oilers do see tonight as another starting opportunity for Jarry, but sticking to the plan of starting the backup is their best option - despite Pickard's struggles.