EDMONTON — Devon Levi gave the Oilers the reset they needed in net Saturday, turning aside 19 shots in a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Place.
Two nights after surviving a wild 9-7 victory over Vancouver, Levi was far sharper behind a more disciplined Edmonton group. The 24-year-old’s biggest moment came at 7:38 of the third period, when he sprawled across the crease to glove Jordan Eberle’s chance; video review confirmed the puck stayed out.
Quick facts
- Levi made 19 saves as Edmonton beat Seattle 3-1 on Saturday.
- He earned his first NHL win since January 20, 2025, in Thursday’s 9-7 result against Vancouver.
- Frederik Andersen is recovering from a knee injury and is not expected to debut for Edmonton before December.
- The Oilers are 2-0-1 and open a three-game California trip Wednesday in Anaheim.
Levi’s Vancouver win came with plenty of turbulence. He stopped 15 shots as Edmonton built an 8-2 lead, then allowed a late second-period goal and four more in the third as the Canucks made it uncomfortable. It was his first NHL victory since November 14, 2024.
He did not carry that result into the Seattle game. “I just took the win from the Vancouver game and moved on,” Levi said. “You turn the page, go back to work the next day. Nothing changes. It’s not easy, but I’ve dealt with tougher situations.”
Edmonton had made life difficult for its goaltenders in the opening week, surrendering dangerous looks in a 6-5 overtime loss to Vancouver on Sept. 29 and losing its defensive shape during the late stages of the rematch. Against the Kraken, the Oilers limited the grade-A chances and Levi answered the few times coverage broke down.
Leon Draisaitl said the performance reflected the defensive standard Edmonton wants. “He was excellent,” Draisaitl said of Levi. “He had a couple of huge saves at important times. When you’re giving up breakaways and odd-man rushes, there are only so many a goalie can stop.”
“That is the way we want to play,” Draisaitl added. “The previous game got away from us, but this was a solid effort and the blueprint for our game.”
Coach Mike Babcock entered his postgame availability with a fist pump and a joking assessment: “Didn’t give up a touchdown.” The new Edmonton coach was particularly encouraged by how Levi responded after a difficult first outing with the club.
“He looks like a confident young guy,” Babcock said. “With a new team, the first game does not always go the way you want. Freddy Andersen did a great job talking with him about staying tight. Freddy has been through all of it.”
Andersen, 37, arrived in Edmonton on July 1 after helping the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup. The original plan called for a three-goalie arrangement with Tristan Jarry returning as the incumbent, but Andersen’s offseason injury has opened a larger workload for Levi.
That opportunity follows a winding stretch since Levi entered pro hockey. Florida selected him in the seventh round, 212th overall, at the 2020 NHL Draft. Months later, he posted a .964 save percentage in seven games for Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, earning tournament goaltender honors while helping Canada to silver.
The Panthers dealt Levi to Buffalo on July 24, 2021, in the trade that sent Sam Reinhart to Florida. Levi endured difficult years in the Sabres organization and spent most of the past two seasons with Rochester of the American Hockey League.
He did not appear in an NHL game in 2025-26, but played 52 times for Rochester, going 23-20-9 with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.
Now he has a chance with an Edmonton team trying to regain its Cup-contender footing after consecutive trips to the Final in 2024 and 2025, followed by a first-round playoff exit against Anaheim last season.
Levi said Andersen’s presence has already helped, even while the veteran works toward his return. “He has been great with me,” Levi said. “I have never really had a veteran goalie alongside me in the goalie room. His support, experience and leadership have been really valuable.”
Edmonton has not named its starter for Wednesday’s visit to Anaheim. Levi will head out on the California swing with a strong 60 minutes behind him, but he insisted the approach will remain unchanged.
“After today, nothing changes,” he said.
