Oilers give Jarry start in goal vs. visiting Blackhawks

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry moves the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Dallas.

Tristan Jarry is getting the start in the Edmonton Oilers’ goal Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch said Jarry has “looked really good” in practice after being demoted from the starter’s job about a month ago in favour of Connor Ingram.

“He’s had a lot of time to work on his game and just kind of reset,” Knoblauch said of Jarry after the morning skate ahead of the 7 p.m. game.

Jarry, the 30-year-old former junior standout with the Edmonton Oil Kings, has mostly struggled in the Oilers’ net since the National Hockey League team acquired him in a mid-December trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins that saw goalie Stuart Skinner go the other way.

In 16 games for the Oilers this season, Jarry has a 4.01 goals-against average, an .856 save percentage and a record of 8-6-1 with one shutout. The 29-year-old Ingram, meanwhile, has compiled a record of 14-8-2, two shutouts, a 2.69 GAA and an .898 save percentage since being recalled from the minor leagues in December following an injury to Jarry. The Saskatchewan native joined the Oilers at the start of the season after a trade with the Utah Mammoth.

Collegian joins on 1-year deal

A standout U.S. college player is joining the Edmonton Oilers.

The National Hockey League team announced Thursday it has signed forward Owen Michaels to a one-year entry-level contract for next season.

The 23-year-old American captained Western Michigan this past season, scoring 13 goals and 13 assists in 39 games. Last season, Michaels led Western Michigan to the U.S. college championship and was named the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

Western Michigan bowed out of this year’s U.S. college playoffs last weekend after losing to Denver in the West Regional Final.