Tomkins stops 27 shots in seventh career start
The 32-year-old goaltender made his first start since April 2024, helping the Edmonton Oilers defeat the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
By Elizabeth Turner ·
Matt Tomkins has played for a dozen organizations over the last decade, from the Ohio State Buckeyes to the Swedish league clubs Frolunda and Farjestads BK. On Sunday night, he returned to the only team he has ever cheered for as a fan, the Edmonton Oilers. He stopped 27 of 28 shots to help the Oilers beat the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
This was Tomkins' first start since April 17, 2024. It marked only his seventh appearance in the NHL. The victory gave the Oilers their 11th win in their first 15 games of the season. Tomkins received the first star of the game for his performance.
The opportunity arose due to injuries to starting goalies Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen. The Oilers also faced a schedule that included games on back-to-back days. During the 928 days since his previous NHL start, Tomkins played 74 games in the American Hockey League for the Syracuse Crunch and Bakersfield Condors.
Captain Connor McDavid praised the veteran's stability. McDavid said Tomkins was solid and gave the team a chance to win by making the necessary saves. McDavid added that he was happy for his teammate after watching him work hard during the summer in Edmonton.
Tomkins acknowledged the uncertainty of his position in the league. He noted that there are only 64 jobs available at any given time and that many skilled goalies compete for those spots. He said the doubt was less about his ability and more about the availability of opportunities. He described his path to the NHL as a long road that took him to many different places.
With Tristan Jarry returning from back-to-back shutouts, Tomkins may not start again in this call-up. He said he tried to enjoy the day and take in the atmosphere of the arena. He finished by calling his journey incredible and fun, despite the many stops along the way.
Tomkins debuted in the NHL in 2023 shortly after turning 29. He is now 32 years old. He served as Canada's starter at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing when the NHL withdrew its players at the last minute.
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit
