The Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending problems intensified Thursday, November 5, when Matt Tomkins made his second start in three games and emergency backup Brett Epp served as his backup against the Anaheim Ducks.
Tomkins stopped 16 shots in a 5-4 loss at Rogers Place, while Edmonton entered the game without any of the three goalies originally expected to form its NHL crease group this season.
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Edmonton Oilers goalies face an unusual short-term shortage
Tristan Jarry was unavailable because of an illness after missing the pre-game skate, according to the Oilers.
Devon Levi remained on injured reserve after suffering an injury in a 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild on October 22.
Frederik Andersen, who signed with Edmonton during the off-season, has also been sidelined by an undisclosed injury and was not part of the team’s active opening-night goalie group.
That left Tomkins as Edmonton’s only available NHL-contracted goaltender for the Ducks game.
The Oilers activated Brett Epp, a 29-year-old emergency backup goaltender signed by the club during the summer, to occupy the second spot on the bench.
| Goaltender | Current status |
|---|---|
| Matt Tomkins | Started against Anaheim and made 16 saves |
| Tristan Jarry | Unavailable November 5 because of illness |
| Devon Levi | On injured reserve and nearing a return |
| Frederik Andersen | Out with an undisclosed injury |
| Brett Epp | Emergency backup against Anaheim |
Tomkins gets another opportunity
Tomkins had been expected to return to a backup role once Levi was close to coming back, but Jarry’s illness pushed the Edmonton product into another start.
The 32-year-old had made an impressive season debut on November 1, stopping 27 of 28 shots in a 4-1 road win over the New York Rangers.
Thursday’s game was only Tomkins’ seventh NHL start and his second appearance for Edmonton this season.
He kept the Oilers within one goal late in the game, but Anaheim built a 5-2 lead early in the third period before Edmonton mounted a comeback.
Kasperi Kapanen scored with 3:36 remaining, and Leon Draisaitl cut the deficit to 5-4 with 44 seconds left.
Tomkins went to the bench for the extra attacker, but the Oilers could not complete the rally.
Levi could provide the next solution
The most immediate change for Edmonton may come when Levi is cleared to return.
Before going on injured reserve, Levi had a 6-1-0 record, a 3.11 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage in seven starts.
The Oilers said Thursday that Levi had participated in practice and was nearing a return, although no specific activation date was announced.
Head coach Mike Babcock said Levi appeared ready to return soon, but the organization did not confirm whether he would be available for the next game.
Jarry’s recovery from illness will also determine whether Edmonton can restore a conventional starter-backup arrangement before Levi is activated.
What happens next for the Oilers
Edmonton’s four-game homestand continues with the crease situation still unsettled.
The Oilers began the season expecting Jarry and Levi to share the workload while Andersen recovered from his off-season injury.
Levi’s injury forced the club to recall Tomkins from Bakersfield, and Jarry’s illness then created the need for an emergency backup.
If Jarry is healthy and Levi is not yet ready, Tomkins could return to the backup role.
If Levi is cleared first, Edmonton will have to decide how quickly to reintroduce him after his injury and how to manage the workload of its three available goaltenders.
For now, the Oilers have avoided a deeper emergency by keeping Tomkins available and adding Epp to the bench, but Thursday’s game showed how quickly the club’s goalie depth can be tested.
Oilers’ recent goalie timeline
- October 22: Levi is injured during a win over Minnesota.
- October 23: Edmonton places Levi on injured reserve and recalls Tomkins under emergency conditions.
- November 1: Tomkins wins his Oilers debut against the New York Rangers.
- November 5: Jarry misses the Ducks game because of illness, and Epp becomes the emergency backup.
- November 5: Tomkins makes 16 saves in Edmonton’s 5-4 loss to Anaheim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Matt Tomkins start for the Oilers against Anaheim?
Tomkins started because Tristan Jarry was unavailable with an illness, while Devon Levi remained on injured reserve and Frederik Andersen was still sidelined.
Who was the Oilers’ backup goalie against the Ducks?
Brett Epp served as Edmonton’s emergency backup goaltender for the November 5 game against Anaheim.
What is Devon Levi’s status?
Levi remains on injured reserve but had returned to practice and was described by the Oilers as nearing a return.
How did Matt Tomkins perform against Anaheim?
Tomkins made 16 saves in Edmonton’s 5-4 loss to the Ducks.
How many NHL starts has Tomkins made?
The 32-year-old Edmonton product made his seventh NHL start against Anaheim and his second start for the Oilers this season.
Fact-Checked: Key roster, injury, emergency-backup and game-result details were checked against official Edmonton Oilers and NHL information. ([nhl.com](https://www.nhl.com/news/anaheim-ducks-edmonton-oilers-game-recap-november-5-2026))
Disclaimer: Player availability can change before Edmonton’s next game as medical evaluations and roster moves continue.