EDMONTON — Tristan Jarry will start in goal Tuesday as Mike Babcock coaches his first regular-season game with the Edmonton Oilers against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place.
The scheduled 10 p.m. Eastern start follows an unbeaten exhibition schedule for Edmonton. Jarry stopped 40 of 42 shots over five preseason periods against Winnipeg and Vancouver, giving the coaching staff an encouraging final look before naming him the opening-night starter.
Babcock said Jarry had improved his conditioning and worked with goaltending coach Peter Aubry after a difficult finish to his first season with the Oilers. Tuesday is the first opportunity to carry that preparation into games that count in the standings.
Edmonton will be without forward Jason Dickinson, who aggravated a foot injury during training camp. His absence leaves the coaching staff with another adjustment as it settles the opening lineup.
Babcock took over after the Oilers’ first-round playoff loss to Anaheim, replacing Kris Knoblauch. That early exit followed consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final against Florida in 2024 and 2025, giving the new coach a group with extensive postseason experience but a disappointing most recent finish.
The Canucks also begin under new leadership behind the bench. Manny Malhotra has replaced Adam Foote as head coach, while the organization has made changes in its front office and added veteran players to a roster still taking shape.
Brendan Gallagher, Luke Schenn and Jamie Oleksiak are among Vancouver’s additions. In goal, Kevin Lankinen is expected to start while Thatcher Demko continues his recovery from hip surgery, without a confirmed return date.
The matchup is the first half of an opening home-and-home series, with the teams scheduled to meet again Thursday in Vancouver. That gives both coaches an immediate chance to make adjustments against the same opponent.
For Edmonton, the first decision is settled: Jarry gets the net. The next test is whether an encouraging preseason can produce the start the Oilers want under their new coach.
Sources: Oilers Jarry; Oilers Team.
Related: NHL opening-night TV guide.
