Oilers goaltending takes massive leap in NHL ranks since Skinner trade

Stuart Skinner was floundering with an .891 save percentage, and Calvin Pickard was among the worst NHL goalies when the Oilers made the trade for Jarry on December 12th. Just over a month later, the Oilers goaltending soared in NHL rankings.

According to TopDownHockey's cumulative tracking of Goals Saved Above Expected, the Oilers currently rank 18th in the NHL with +0.5. They've moved up significantly from the negatives just one month ago.

Per the same model on December 14th, the Oilers ranked 28th in the NHL -9.9 GSAx. It's been a remarkable turnaround to get the Oilers back in positive territory.

While the trade was certainly a catalyst that changed the trajectory of Oilers' goaltending, Jarry isn't the sole reason for the change in results. He's posted a 4-0-1 record with a .907 save percentage, but missed a few weeks with injury.

Connor Ingram's stellar play in 8 games has brought the Oilers to a 4-3-1 record and an impressive .907 save percentage. Calvin Pickard was brutal early this year, but he's also driven up his game to a .898 save percentage in 6 games since the trade.

It wasn't just Jarry leading the Oilers to solving their goalie results, which points to two other factors: Edmonton has a real goalie option with Ingram, and the trade was a wake up call to the rest of the roster.

Stu Skinner himself even seems to be doing better now with a fresh start as well. The former Oiler has a .902 save percentage in 8 games since the deal.

One month since the trade, the Edmonton Oilers are in a much better position with their crease, and by extension the rest of their roster. They could head into the playoffs for the first time in the McDavid era with true confidence in their goalies.

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