Edmonton Oilers’ 3 Stars for March

The Edmonton Oilers have slowly found their game in March, posting a 9-4-1 record. Their overall record has improved to 38-28-9 for 85 points. They find themselves just two points behind the Anaheim Ducks for the division lead. They’ve played much better, especially defensively. Edmonton has picked up massive wins this month against the Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights twice.

The Oilers concluded March on a season-long four-game winning streak. They are peaking at the right time and are getting contributions throughout the lineup. They lost Leon Draisaitl to injury on March 15, but other players have stepped up in his absence, and the whole group has bought in. With that said, here are the Oilers’ three stars for March.

Third Star: Connor Ingram

With Tristan Jarry’s struggles, Connor Ingram was named the Oilers’ starting goaltender, and he’s making the most of his opportunities. He has been a calming presence in the crease and is quietly having a solid season. He finished the month with a 7-2-1 record, with a 2.60 goals-against average (GAA) and a .902 save percentage (SV%). He now has a 2.69 GAA and an .898 SV% on the campaign. It’s no coincidence that Ingram’s play improved at the same time the team buckled down defensively.

On his 29th birthday, he also recorded a 27-save shutout against the Seattle Kraken in the final game of the month. He started 11 games in March and had a .900 SV% or better in five of them. He hasn’t been perfect, but he has been stable, and that’s what Edmonton needs. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native was forced out of a game against the Avalanche after Nathan MacKinnon ran him over. However, he returned a few games later and didn’t miss a beat, which is a testament to his toughness.

He’s a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) this offseason, and general manager Stan Bowman should strongly consider re-signing him. He has solidified himself as the number one netminder in Oil Country, and he has endeared himself to the fan base.

Second Star: Evan Bouchard

Evan Bouchard has had a phenomenal season, and that continued in March. He finished the month with three goals and 17 points in 14 games, including five multipoint performances. He’s arguably the most clutch player on the team. He scored a massive overtime winner against the Golden Knights on March 26 in a huge divisional contest. The 26-year-old has a career-high 86 points this season, leading all defencemen, eight more than second place.

While he’s an elite offensive defenceman, his defensive play has much improved. He has taken on more responsibilities. He’s the quarterback on the power play, but he also leads the team in shorthanded ice time. He plays in all situations, and that hasn’t hurt his offensive numbers. He’s great at breaking up the cycle, and he has the elite skill to transition the puck up the ice efficiently. It’s unlikely he’ll win the Norris Trophy, but Bouchard should undoubtedly be in the conversation.

First Star: Matt Savoie

Matt Savoie has found his game at the NHL level. He’s an extremely smart player, but he wasn’t producing offensively early in the season. He couldn’t score, but that changed after the Olympic break. The 22-year-old rookie had four goals and seven points in March, including three consecutive games with a goal. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, he’s scratching the surface offensively, and he should only get better.