On a special night for the Edmonton Oilers' fathers, it was goaltender Connor Ingram who played the role of patriarch, shutting down the Chicago Blackhawks in a decisive 4-1 road victory on January 12, 2026.
Ingram Stands Tall as Oilers' Foundation
The final score at the United Center suggested a comfortable win, but the game was far tighter than it appeared. The Oilers were sloppy in their own end and struggled to solve Chicago's goalie, Spencer Knight, at the other. Ingram was the unwavering backbone, turning away 29 of 30 shots and keeping his team afloat until the offense could secure the win.
"He was amazing, he made the big saves when we needed him to," praised defenceman Evan Bouchard, who had a three-point night. "Playing in front of him is great, he makes it easy for us." Ingram's brilliance was most evident in the third period after Chicago finally broke his shutout bid at 14:46, cutting the lead to 2-1. The Blackhawks surged with momentum, but a series of key stops from Ingram allowed Edmonton to weather the storm and seal the game with an empty-net goal.
A Proven Audition in the Crease
This performance was another strong chapter in Ingram's compelling tryout with the Oilers. He improved his record to 4-2-1 through seven games, consistently demonstrating he can be a reliable option. His night in Chicago featured critical saves from the opening face-off, including a breakaway denial early in the second period.
"I felt good, I'm starting to feel more normal every time I get out there," Ingram remarked post-game. "Luckily for me I've been able to play a lot and find a rhythm." While offensive stars like Connor McDavid (extending his point streak to 19 games) and Bouchard provided the goals, Ingram was the essential cleaner, erasing defensive miscues and giving his team a chance to win.
Roster Decisions Loom for Edmonton
Ingram's stellar play creates a positive dilemma for the Oilers' management. With starting netminder Tristan Jarry expected to return from injury in a matter of days, the team will soon have three capable goalies on the roster. Ingram's recent form ensures he is not just an afterthought but a legitimate contender for playing time, forcing the organization to make a strategic decision about its goaltending trio.
The victory extended Edmonton's dominance over Chicago, improving their record to 10-1 in the last 11 meetings. The Blackhawks were also notably without their star, Connor Bedard, who was a late scratch due to illness. For the Oilers, the win was a testament to finding a way, a trait Ingram highlighted: "These are the games you have to hold onto and find a way to get it done. We did that." With his latest showing, Connor Ingram proved he is very much for real in Edmonton.
