Oilers Finally Getting the Version of Jack Campbell They Paid For

Analysts have looked at his play of late and wonder if a switch went off in his head. Extremely hard on himself throughout his career, the consensus was that Campbell didn’t have to be a Vezina-caliber goaltender to play well for the Oilers. He just needed to be good enough to give them a chance. The Oilers are going to score. If he can find a way to keep the goals against down to three or less, Edmonton’s offense can do the rest.

Perhaps Campbell has allowed himself to be imperfect, giving room to simply be better than average, if not pretty good.

Immaculate Timing on Campbell’s Part

That he’s found his game at the time he has couldn’t be more ideal for the Oilers. With Skinner needing some time away, it was Campbell or Calvin Pickard and Pickard didn’t have to step in one time. Campbell was solid as a rock when there was really only one viable option and that will go a long way toward building his confidence for the rest of the season. Perhaps the need to step up registered for the netminder and he forced himself to come through when his team, one that has been very patient with him, needed him most.

The Oilers have both netminders available now and that’s excellent news as the team tries to work its way up the standings, out of a wild card spot, and into a playoff position where they could potentially get home ice advantage. Points were becoming crucial and the team wasn’t sure what holes it needed to fill as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches. They may still not have the answer, but it appears (at least for now) that goaltending is not as much an area of concern as it looked like it could be.

The Oilers (and Campbell) Gaining Confidence

When you talk about timing, confidence might be the most positive outcome that comes from a good balance among the team. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were doing their thing and carrying the club. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman were providing most of the secondary scoring, but players like Klim Kostin and Mattias Janmark have started to step up and produce. Even the blue line has started to show signs of life as Evan Bouchard has settled down a bit and with better games from Philip Broberg, along with the potential emergence of Vincent Desharnais.

It was just a matter of time before the goaltending showed up and it was more than just Skinner who was playing well enough to give this Oilers squad a real chance to compete. Campbell hasn’t been perfect, but no goaltender is. He’s played well enough to feel good about his starts and that’s the big hurdle it appears he’s had to get over in 2022. Now that it’s 2023, is it a new year and a new Campbell?

Solid goaltending is what the franchise paid for when they went out and signed Campbell to a five-year contract. It appears they are starting to get it and if all the other pieces come together at the right time, the Oilers could be dangerous.