Oilers Goalie Matt Tomkins Stops 27 Shots in Homecoming Win Over Rangers
The 32-year-old journeyman made his first start since April 2024, helping Edmonton secure an 11th victory in 15 games.
By Jabari Long ·
Matt Tomkins stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the New York Rangers on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. The victory marked the 11th win for Edmonton in the first 15 games of the season. Tomkins was named the first star of the game for his performance in the net.
This start represented a return to the NHL for Tomkins after a long absence. He had not started a game in the top league since April 17, 2024, when he played for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the 928 days between that final appearance and Sunday's game, Tomkins competed in 74 matches in the American Hockey League. He split that time with the Syracuse Crunch and the Bakersfield Condors.
The opportunity to play again arose due to injuries to the Oilers' other goalies. Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen were both working their way back to full health. The schedule also presented a challenge, as the team faced games on consecutive days this weekend. These factors combined to place Tomkins in the starting role for the second time in a row, following a shutout by Tristan Jarry in the previous game.
Tomkins, 32, began his professional path in Sherwood Park, a suburb of Edmonton. His career has included stops at Ohio State University in college hockey. He played minor league seasons with the Indy Fuel and the Rockford IceHogs. Internationally, he spent time in Sweden with Frolunda and Farjestads BK. He also served as Canada's starting goaltender at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, a role he assumed when the NHL withdrew from the event at the last minute.
His debut in the NHL occurred in 2023, a few months after his 29th birthday. Returning to Edmonton, his hometown team, carried personal weight for the veteran player. He described the path to this point as a long road that took him to many different places. He noted that the human element of the job involves uncertainty about opportunity rather than ability, given that only 64 goalkeeping positions exist in the league at any given time.
Captain Connor McDavid praised Tomkins' contribution to the win. McDavid said Tomkins was solid and made the necessary saves to give the team a chance to win. McDavid also highlighted the joy his teammates felt for Tomkins, noting that the goalie worked hard during the summer in Edmonton. McDavid described the moment as special, given the history of the building and Tomkins' long journey to reach it.
Tomkins expressed excitement about receiving the start after a couple of years away from the league. He said he tried to enjoy the day and take it all in while contributing to the team's success. He reflected on his career, which has included bus rides and pit stops across junior, college, ECHL, and AHL levels. He said he enjoys playing and has found every step of his career to be enjoyable, even if it has been tough.
The win at Madison Square Garden serves as a memorable highlight for a player who has worn many jerseys. Tomkins grew up as an Oilers fan, making the return to the building where he started his professional life a defining moment. He credited his career for taking him all over the world, calling the overall journey incredible and fun. The performance solidified his place in the current roster dynamics as the team continues its strong start to the season.
