Oilers’ Tristan Jarry Might Be Turning Things Around

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry faces a shot from Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

Oilers’ Tristan Jarry Might Be Turning Things Around

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Dale Bochon | Last updated Oct 31, 2026 8:55 AM ET

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It’s a small sample size – just two games – but it might be fair to say that Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry might have turned the corner and could have brighter days ahead in Edmonton. Jarry’s recent performance in the Oilers 4-3 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 26 and his 4-0 shutout against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 28 have shown that the veteran netminder still has game. Whether he can continue his strong play is yet to be determined.

Jarry Has Faced Some Tough Challenges in Edmonton

Pundits and fans have been critical of Oilers general manager Stan Bowman’s trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins to bring Jarry to Edmonton on Dec. 12, 2025. The Oilers gave up netminder Stuart Skinner and veteran defenceman Brett Kulak in that deal, and many people were especially upset that Kulak was no longer with Edmonton. Jarry got off to a good start last season with the Oilers but sustained an injury just six days into his time in Edmonton and never really recovered. In fact, Jarry lost the starting job to former Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram in a season Jarry and many Oilers fans would probably like to forget.

2026-27 Season Has Had Ups and Downs for Jarry

Things didn’t get off to a very good start for Jarry in the 2026-27 season. He not only lost the first game 6-5 in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks, but he also lost the net to young Devon Levi, who has been excellent right up until he was injured in the Oilers’ 6-5 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 22. Jarry’s next start against the Toronto Maple Leafs was the Oilers’ worst performance of the season, losing 7-2.

Questions started to arise as to whether the Oilers should turn to American Hockey League (AHL) farmhand Matt Tomkins, who was called up from the Bakersfield Condors to replace Levi on the roster. However, Jarry came out strong in his next two games. And now the question is, can Jarry sustain his strong play as of late?

Jarry Holding Down the Fort Until Levi and Andersen Return

If Jarry can continue to play well, that’s going to be a good problem for the Oilers to have once Levi and Frederik Andersen both return from the injured reserve list. It’s his net at least for their upcoming New York area road trip, and if he sustains his recent strong play, that should bode well for his future. The Oilers talked a lot about the three-goalie system before the season started, and it’ll be interesting to see what happens once all three are back and playing healthy.

Has Jarry Finally Turned the Corner?

Two solid performances don’t erase Jarry’s previous struggles. He still needs to demonstrate that he can deliver consistent results over a longer period of time for the Oilers. If he can recapture the form he showed when he was in junior with the Edmonton Oil Kings, and then early in his career with the Penguins, it’ll be win/win for him and the Oilers.

For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, Jarry doesn’t need to be spectacular every night. He just needs to be reliable. If he can do that, he’ll not only change the fortunes of his own career but also help the Oilers get closer to their ultimate goal of winning it all. Whether Jarry has turned the corner remains to be seen. However, for the first time in a while, there may be more reasons to believe in Jarry than to doubt him.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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