At Rogers Place, eager fans erupted in cheers as Connor Ingram made his first early save, allowing him to jump straight into action against the Las Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night. When asked about hearing the crowd, Ingram admitted, “I kind of lost my mind,” recalling that while he knew he made the save, the moments that followed were a blur.
Following that save, the Edmonton Oilers unleashed relentless pressure, constantly challenging Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart with dangerous attempts, many too clever for the netminder to stop. This strong start provided the reassurance Edmonton needed, as they dominated the first half, building a commanding 4-0 lead. Connor McDavid nearly scored a spectacular goal at 9:11 in the first period, drawing penalties that transformed Edmonton’s power play into a formidable weapon for the opening two periods.
McDavid has been impressive over the last ten games, outpacing four Golden Knights during penalties and scoring points himself. Soon after, Leon Draisaitl found Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the power play, who slipped past defenders to score and extend the lead to 2-0. The Oilers did not ease up, quickly capitalizing on another power play early in the second period, with Nugent-Hopkins scoring his second goal and earning three points overall.
Edmonton kept adding to their tally, with Darnell Nurse and Zach Hyman scoring at 7:45 into the second period, making it 4-0. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights struggled but finally got on the board with a power-play goal by Thomas Hertl, lofting a puck over Ingram’s blocker. Despite this, it became clear that Las Vegas was mounting pressure as the game progressed.
Golden Knights head coach Chris Knoblauch acknowledged their team’s growth, noting how they transformed from one of the worst in their first season to the best in their third. Las Vegas scored twice early in the third, injecting excitement into the game and forcing Edmonton to call a timeout. However, the Oilers weathered the storm and secured the win, even though they couldn’t capitalize with an empty-net goal.
After the game, Ingram reflected on his journey back to the NHL. Though uncertain how long he’ll stay with Edmonton, he expressed gratitude for every opportunity. Despite a difficult path, he’s comfortable in his role, focusing on stopping pucks regardless of the level. Ingram praised the team for their support and training, sharing that many days he doubted he’d get another chance to play at this level.
He conceded missing camp had been a major setback, especially after two weeks off ice in Utah, but he’s now regaining his rhythm. “Hockey is about putting on your skates and giving your best every day,” he said. Comparing the AHL to the NHL, he noted that in the NHL, his instincts about play tend to be correct 90% of the time, though the speed remains a challenge. Despite the hurdles, Ingram remains grounded, valuing family above all.
Ingram gave credit to the Oilers for taking an early lead, which eased his task during the game’s first half. He emphasized that save percentage is a team effort, praising the overall strong performance. When asked what he missed most, he simply said being part of the NHL, where “every day is a good day.”
Fan Take: This win and Ingram’s performance highlight the depth and resilience of the Oilers, reminding fans that success in hockey is a collective effort. Ingram’s comeback story inspires hope for players facing adversity, showing that perseverance can lead to new opportunities on hockey’s biggest stage.
