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NEW YORK Tuesday, November 3, 2026

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Tomkins Stands Tall for Oilers in NHL Return

Goalie makes seventh NHL start, stops 27 of 28 shots in win over Rangers.

New York Editorial News Desk November 1, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • Tomkins made his seventh NHL start and first since April 17, 2024.
  • He stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 11th win in 15 games for the Oilers.
  • Tomkins played for multiple teams in minor leagues and Sweden before returning to Oilers.

Matt Tomkins, a journeyman goalie, made his seventh NHL start for the Oilers on Sunday, stopping 27 of 28 shots in a 11th win in 15 games this season.

The 32-year-old, who grew up in Edmonton, returned to his hometown team after playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning and various minor league teams.

Tomkins' opportunity came after injuries to fellow goalies Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen, and the scheduling of games on back-to-back days.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid praised Tomkins' performance, calling him 'awesome' and saying he 'gave us a chance to win.'

Tomkins, who last played in the NHL in April 2024, said he wasn't sure he'd get another chance to play for the Oilers, noting the competitiveness of the goalie market.

Despite the challenges, Tomkins expressed gratitude for the opportunity, calling it 'an incredible and really fun journey' after playing for numerous teams across multiple leagues.

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