Oilers Routed by Wild: A Wake-Up Call in the Middle of a Turnaround
The Edmonton Oilers were riding high. Three straight wins - their first such streak of the season - had them finally looking like the team everyone expected back in October. The offense was clicking, the defense was tightening up, and there was a sense that maybe, just maybe, the worst was behind them.
Then the Minnesota Wild came to town and dropped a cold dose of reality.
A 7-3 loss on home ice is tough to swallow. Giving up five goals on just 20 shots?
That’s the kind of stat line that gets circled in red ink during the film session. And when it comes against a team like Minnesota - a legit Stanley Cup contender that’s locked in and executing - it stings that much more.
Jarry’s Rough Night
Tristan Jarry got the start in net and took the loss. He gave up five goals before getting the hook, finishing with a save percentage that barely cracked 75%.
The numbers are rough. The eye test wasn’t any kinder.
Some goals were tough - clean looks, odd-man rushes, high-danger chances. But some were stoppable.
And when your goalie isn’t making those stops, it’s hard to stay in games against elite teams.
To his credit, Jarry didn’t duck the responsibility.
“It’s tough,” he said postgame. “The chances we are giving up, some of the shots, they’re tough.
It’s a lot of Grade A’s, a lot of breakdowns. So I think it’s tough (for him) to really think about your game at this point.
It’s a whole team game.”
He’s right - this wasn’t all on him. The Oilers gave the Wild too much room, too many clean looks, and far too many transition opportunities.
But part of being a starting goaltender in the NHL is bailing your team out when things go sideways. Jarry didn’t do that on this night.
Too Loose, Too Risky
The Oilers want to play fast - that’s their identity. They’re built for speed, for puck possession, for pushing the pace. But there’s a fine line between playing fast and playing reckless, and against Minnesota, they crossed it.
Turnovers in the neutral zone. Pinches that didn’t connect.
Forcing plays that weren’t there. The Wild didn’t need a second invitation.
They pounced on every mistake, turned defense into instant offense, and buried their chances.
That’s what good teams do. And right now, Minnesota’s a good team.
They’ve got their structure figured out, they’re getting contributions up and down the lineup, and they don’t need a flood of chances to put up crooked numbers. The Oilers learned that the hard way.
Jarry: “We Were Just on the Wrong Side”
After the game, Jarry pointed to the team’s overall approach as part of the problem.
“We were just on the wrong side of it tonight,” he said. “Everyone knows when we play the game that we want to put on the ice, that will put us on the better side of things. But to be on that side, we just have to tighten up and eliminate some of the chances.”
It’s not just about playing fast - it’s about managing the puck. And that’s where Edmonton fell short.
They didn’t protect the puck in key areas. They didn’t make smart decisions under pressure.
And when you give a team like the Wild clean entries and time in the slot, you’re asking for trouble.
No Need for Panic - Yet
So, what does this mean for Jarry and the Oilers? Is it time to hit the panic button? Not quite.
Yes, Jarry had a rough night. Yes, there have been a few of those lately.
But this isn’t an every-night issue. He’s had strong outings.
He’s shown he can be the guy. The consistency just isn’t there yet - and that’s the challenge.
There’s also the looming question of goaltending depth. Word around the league is that Jesper Wallstedt might be available at the deadline.
That’s the kind of name that makes front offices perk up - young, promising, and already showing signs of being a future No. 1.
Edmonton had a chance to draft him once. They passed.
Now, he’s the type of goalie they could use.
Still, this isn’t about one bad game meaning the Oilers need to overhaul the crease. It’s about learning from the loss and getting better.
Jarry knows that. The team knows that.
And if they want to be more than just a playoff hopeful, they’ll need to clean up the details - and get more timely saves when it matters.
What’s Next
Losses like this can go one of two ways. They can derail momentum, or they can serve as a hard reset - a reminder of how thin the margin for error is in this league.
The Oilers have shown signs of turning a corner. But nights like this one show there’s still work to do.
Minnesota exposed their flaws. Jarry struggled.
The team didn’t manage the puck well. That’s the truth.
But the season isn’t decided by one game - not even a lopsided one like this.
Jarry will get another shot. So will the Oilers. The question is, what will they do with it?