Goalie Brawl Under the Lights, and the Oilers’ Goalie Gamble: Breaking Down a Wild NHL Week
The NHL delivered a little bit of everything this past week - drama, intensity, and yes, even a rare goalie fight under the outdoor lights. As teams gear down for the Olympic break, there’s plenty to unpack, from a throwback moment between the pipes to the Edmonton Oilers’ recent goaltending shake-up. Let’s break it all down.
Old-School Goalie Fight in the Great Outdoors
If you missed the outdoor showdown between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, you missed one of the most electric moments of the season. The game itself had all the makings of a classic, but it was the unexpected tilt between goalies Jeremy Swayman and Andrei Vasilevskiy that stole the spotlight.
This wasn’t your typical chirping match or a post-whistle scrum that fizzled out. This was center-ice, gloves off, full-on goalie combat - and it was glorious.
Vasilevskiy landed a few solid lefts, and the crowd was all in. But what made this moment even more unique?
After the fight, both netminders simply strapped their gear back on and got back to work.
That’s almost unheard of in today’s NHL. Usually, a goalie fight means an automatic ejection, especially if it’s their second scrap.
But since this was the only fight of the game, the officials let them stay in. It was a rare green light for two of the game’s top goaltenders to settle things old-school style and then keep playing.
Now, let’s be real - jumping back into net after throwing punches isn’t exactly easy. Adrenaline’s pumping, the heart rate’s through the roof, and you’re supposed to go back to calm, calculated goaltending?
That’s a tough switch to flip. Vasilevskiy seemed to settle in quicker, but Swayman held his own too.
Both goalies played well, and both looked like they were ready for the scrap the second tensions flared.
It didn’t take much to ignite it either - a bump here, a shove there, and Swayman was already eyeing Vasilevskiy. The Lightning goalie didn’t hesitate.
He was halfway down the ice before anyone could stop him. And to their credit, the linesmen didn’t interfere.
They let the moment breathe. The fans got a show, and the league got a highlight that’ll be replayed for years.
Will we see more goalie fights? Probably not - the risk of losing your starter mid-game is too high.
But if the stars align like they did here, and both guys can stay in the crease afterward? That’s a recipe for some unforgettable hockey.
Did the Oilers Miss on the Jarry Trade? Not So Fast.
Let’s shift gears to Edmonton, where the Oilers made headlines with their goaltending swap, sending Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh in exchange for Tristan Jarry. With Skinner now thriving in a Penguins sweater, it’s fair to ask: did the Oilers make a mistake?
Short answer: No.
Yes, Skinner’s playing well. And yes, it’s easy to second-guess a move when the guy you traded away finds his groove somewhere else.
But this was a situation where a change of scenery was overdue. Skinner had hit a wall in Edmonton.
The inconsistency had dragged on too long, and every rough outing brought the same questions. The pressure wasn’t going away unless he went on a miracle run - and even then, the leash would’ve stayed short.
In Pittsburgh, he’s getting that fresh start. He’s in the Eastern Conference, so the Oilers don’t have to worry about him in the standings.
And let’s not forget - Skinner was well-liked in the Edmonton locker room. His success isn’t just good for him, it’s something his former teammates are happy to see.
As for Jarry? He’s been solid.
Not spectacular, but solid - and that’s all the Oilers need right now. He’s still adjusting to the system, learning how the defense plays in front of him, figuring out the rhythm of the team.
That takes time, even post-trade deadline.
Let’s also be realistic about expectations. Jarry and Connor Ingram aren’t in the elite tier of goaltenders.
They’re not Bobrovsky, Vasilevskiy, or Sorokin - guys who can steal games on their own night after night. But as a tandem, Jarry and Ingram are more than capable.
If the Oilers tighten up defensively, these two can absolutely give them a chance to win on any given night.
That’s the key here: it’s not just about the goalie. It’s about the group in front of him.
When the team plays well defensively, Jarry can hold it down. He’s not going to mask every mistake, but he doesn’t have to.
He just needs to be steady - and so far, he’s been just that.
So no, the Oilers didn’t whiff on this trade. They made a calculated move to shake things up, and both sides are seeing the benefits.
As the season rolls on, expect the conversation to shift from “Did they get it wrong?” to “How good can this tandem be down the stretch?”
It’s been a wild week in the NHL, and with the Olympic break looming, the intensity is only going to ramp up. If this past week was any indication, we’re in for one heck of a second half.