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Injury Update: Oilers’ Ingram After Collision with Nathan MacKinnon

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Mar 11, 2026 11:05 AM ET

Connor Ingram was forced out of Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche when Nathan MacKinnon essentially ran him over in the crease. MacKinnon was given a five-minute major and a game for goaltender interference, and Ingram, who was cut on the play, did not return.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed after the game that Ingram was OK, but it was too soon to offer an injury update. He did not know that Ingram was not permitted to return due to concussion safety concerns. Ingram did skate off the ice under his own power and seemed to be alright.

Tristan Jarry came on in relief and was excellent.

Should MacKinnon Have Been Tossed for the Hit?

There was heavy debate about the hit and whether MacKinnon should have received a five-minute major for it. While there appeared to be no intent to stop, some argue he tried to avoid Ingram, while others suggested he was pushed from behind by Darnell Nurse.

Former Avs player, Mark Rycroft, wrote, “This is the perfect angle. Mackinnon is angled away from Ingram. He’s one of the best skaters in the world. You don’t think he knows what to do. Garbage call all around. This should be no penalty. Nurse cause 100% of the contact.” Not everyone agreed.

“There’s no chance that he hits the goalie if Nurse doesn’t run into him,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “I don’t care if he’s injured or not injured, it’s a severe crash or not a severe crash. It’s not a penalty. If you put guys in your own goalie, it’s not a penalty.” He added, “The goalie’s hurt, so it’s five [minutes]? I really don’t give a crap if their goalie’s hurt. That’s on their D-men, not on our guy,” Bednar said.

There was also some surprise that the officials gave such a hefty penalty to a star player, which is rarer in the NHL. Ryan Rishaug argued that MacKinnon was going to collide with Ingram regardless of Nurse’s involvement in the play. MacKinnon was far too aggressive with his line and it steamrolled a goalie in the process.

Either way, the Oilers may have lost their most effective goaltender, which they simply cannot afford. Credit to Jarry, who stepped in and made a couple of big saves to help the Oilers pick up a statement win. The last time Edmonton played Colorado, the Avs beat them 9-1 on the Oilers’ home ice. That Connor McDavid and company could pick up their second win in a row and beat the NHL’s top team is a character builder.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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