After a difficult start to December, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell has had his share of success over the past two weeks.
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In four games in December, the 31-year-old had only won once. It makes Stuart Skinner the second goaltender in the formation to have had a mandate to defend the posts.
The New Year appears to be smiling at Campbell as he will be head coach Jay Woodcroft’s right-hand man for the fifth consecutive year against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. He did not experience defeat during this series.
“I’m really trying to do too much and I think it got to me at the start of the year. And it’s just “fun” to get your bearings. We have a good group, everyone supports me. I’m just trying to learn from it and be a better person on and off the ice,” he said at a news conference on Thursday.
In those four games, he had a solid 2.00 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
“I feel like all the players are very united,” added Campbell. We’ve been online lately. All lines are fine. It’s a lot of fun now. So we have to keep going.”
Woodcroft acknowledged his player continued to struggle after a difficult start.
“I see someone who deserves what is happening to them. He worked hard and made some adjustments to his game and he played really well,” he said.
A new gear
Jack Campbell decided to change his jersey after conceding a poor goal in the 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken.
“Of course I tried new equipment the day before, after that I switched [deuxième] Goal. And now we’re fine, he explained, laughing. I think we solved the problem. So we’ll see.”