Tomkins stops 27 shots in seventh NHL start to beat Rangers

Matt Tomkins stopped 27 of 28 shots on goal to help the Edmonton Oilers defeat the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The performance earned Tomkins the first star of the game award. It marked his first start since April 17, 2024, and his seventh start in the National Hockey League. The win was the Oilers' 11th in their first 15 games of the season.

Tomkins, 32, grew up in Sherwood Park, a suburb of Edmonton. He attended Ohio State University before playing minor league hockey for teams including the Indy Fuel and Rockford IceHogs. He also played in Sweden for Frolunda and Farjestads BK. In 2022, he served as Canada's starting goaltender at the Olympic Games in Beijing after the NHL withdrew from the tournament.

The 928 days between Tomkins' last NHL start and Sunday's game involved a long stint in the American Hockey League. He played 74 games for the Syracuse Crunch and the Bakersfield Condors during that period. He admitted to feeling doubt about whether another NHL opportunity would arise. He noted that only 64 goaltending jobs exist at any given time and that competition is fierce.

Injuries to teammates Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen created the opening for Tomkins. The Oilers scheduled games on consecutive days this weekend, which required additional goaltending depth. Captain Connor McDavid said Tomkins gave the team a chance to win by making the necessary saves. McDavid described Tomkins as solid and a great person who worked hard during the summer in Edmonton.

Tomkins made his NHL debut in 2023, a few months after turning 29. He has since returned to his hometown team. He said he tried to enjoy the day and take in the atmosphere of the arena. He acknowledged that it has been a couple of years since he last played in the league, which made the opportunity particularly exciting for him.

The Oilers face scheduling constraints as they work to return their other goaltenders to health. Tristan Jarry recently recorded back-to-back shutouts. Levi and Andersen are currently working their way back to full availability. Tomkins may have limited opportunities during this call-up as the team manages its roster.

Tomkins described his career path as tough but enjoyable. He said he loves to play and has enjoyed every step of his journey around the world. He expressed happiness at having the chance to play for the Oilers as a lifelong fan. The performance in New York capped a day that he characterized as an incredible and fun experience.