Edmonton Oilers goaltender Matt Tomkins stopped 27 of 28 shots in his seventh NHL appearance — and first since April 17, 2024 — as the Oilers defeated the New York Rangers Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
Tomkins, 32, started because Oilers goalies Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen were unavailable and the team played on consecutive days. He last appeared in the NHL for the Tampa Bay Lightning in their 2023–24 regular-season finale.
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Before Sunday’s game, Tomkins had played 74 American Hockey League games for Syracuse Crunch and Bakersfield Condors. He served as Canada’s starting goaltender at the 2022 Olympics after the NHL withdrew from Beijing.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid called Tomkins “awesome” and said he “gave us a chance to win.” McDavid added, “He was just solid — made the saves he needed to.”
Tomkins said doubts centered on opportunity, not ability: “There are only 64 NHL goaltending jobs at any given time, and elite goalies around the world compete for them daily.” With Tristan Jarry coming off consecutive shutouts and Levi and Andersen nearing return, Tomkins’ start may be brief. “It’s been a couple of years since I’ve played in the league,” he said. “I’m definitely excited to get the nod.”
The Oilers improved to 11 wins in their first 15 games of the season.
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