Oilers coach explains Connor Ingram gamble that paid off in Game 5 win

Connor Ingram stood tall when it mattered most in the first round of the NHL playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks , and head coach Kris Knoblauch made it clear the decision to start him was never a gamble. Facing elimination in Game 5, the Edmonton Oilers turned back to Ingram despite benching him in Game 4. The move paid off as he stopped 29 of 30 shots in a 4-1 win over the Ducks, keeping the series alive at 3-2.

Knoblauch backed his goaltender after the game, pointing to Ingram’s calm style. “Yeah, I thought he made a lot of good saves,” Knoblauch said. “A lot of his talent is making hard saves look easy just because he’s compact, he doesn’t move very much.

I thought there was a couple times where they’re perimeter shots, but they were dangerous because they had really good net front and you’re not sure if the goalie is going to pick it up. I thought he was on his game because he was picking those up. ” MORE: Chris Kreider’s ‘ruthless’ hit on Leon Draisaitl sparks fan call for ‘hearing’ The decision raised questions before puck drop, given Ingram’s uneven playoff numbers.

He had allowed 14 goals across his first three starts and lost the crease briefly. Still, Knoblauch stressed that Ingram had been the team’s starter late in the season and earned trust in key moments. “He was our starter down the stretch,” Knoblauch said.