Struggling Jack Campbell rips “pathetic” effort

The understanding when the Edmonton Oilers were able to pry goaltender Jack Campbell away from the Toronto Maple Leafs is that he would be another critical piece in their puzzle of continuing their new-found postseason success that saw them advance beyond the second round for the first time since the magical run of 2006. 

And while his 5-3-0 record in terms of wins and losses isn't exactly terrible, his goals against average and save percentage are anything other than ghastly. His 4.20 GAA and .874 save percentage are some of the worst amongst starting NHL goaltenders, and it raises serious questions as to whether he's simply in a slump or if it's a bigger issue. 

And Campbell was absolutely frank when he was asked following Saturday's 6-2 laugher at Rogers Place at the hands of the Dallas Stars.

"Pathetic," a disappointed Campbell answered. "Kind of like it's gone all year, for me, personally. I just haven't brought my best. Frankly it's just been pathetic the way I've been playing.”

“I owe it to this team to bring my ‘A’ game, and they haven't seen it yet. So I'm gonna just keep working hard, I'm gonna get through this, and be there for the guys."

Meanwhile, backup Stuart Skinner has posted positive numbers, with a 2.10 goals-against average and .944 save percentage. How can Campbell get his numbers back on the right track and bettor mirroring Skinner's? 

“Yeah, just keeping pucks out of the net," Campbell said. "I expect to do that at a very high level and I haven't done that yet.”

He's certainly getting paid like a goaltender expected to perform at a high level after agreeing to a five year contract to take his talents to northern Canada. The good news for Oilers fans is that there's no reason to expect that Campbell's numbers the past two and a half seasons were a mirage and that he can't replicate them again in his first year with Edmonton.