Edmonton Oilers head coach Mike Babcock put the onus on his team's effort and defensive play after Tuesday's season-opening 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks rather than getting into the weeds about goaltender Tristan Jarry's lackluster outing.
"Obviously, that was pretty clear. Everyone knows that, so we might as well just move on," Babcock told reporters when asked if the Oilers needed more from Jarry. "But our part is to play way better. That was ridiculous."
The Oilers fell behind 5-2, but Babcock credited the team's fight for storming back to tie the game and force OT.
"The bottom line is, if we want to work and want to do things right, we're going to have a lot of success. If we want to play like that, we're going to be chasing the game," Babcock said. "To be honest with you, I feel fortunate we got a point. It was a great comeback by us."
The Oilers outshot the Canucks 37-23. Jarry was on the hook for all six goals against.
"Just talking about my game, I need one or two of those (goals)," Jarry said postgame. "I think that's the game-changer there. I think that puts us in a better place."
Jarry has struggled significantly since joining the Oilers midway through last season. He posted an .857 save percentage in 19 regular-season games after the Oilers acquired him, but he eventually lost the No. 1 job to Connor Ingram entering the playoffs.
The Oilers are back in action Thursday in Vancouver for the second leg of a home-and-home with the Canucks.
