Mike Babcock just told reporters that Tristan Jarry is sick, which is why Matt Tomkins starts for the Oilers tonight against Anaheim.
The news came via Michael Menzies this afternoon, and it lands on a crease that was already thin. Devon Levi is on injured reserve, so Edmonton is down to its third option in net.
Menzies relayed the update from Babcock, and it came with a hint on the return timeline for two key players.
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Menzies wrote that Levi looks ready and Hyman looks ready. Babcock's line on that was "Usually, when they look like they're ready, that could be any time soon."
That's a coach giving nothing away, but the timing matters. Zach Hyman is listed on IR with a neck injury, expected out until at least Nov 7, and Levi is listed on IR with an undisclosed injury, expected out until at least Nov 9. Those dates are estimates.
Tomkins has played one game this season and seven in his NHL career. He was born in Edmonton, so a start at home is a story on its own.
Why the Oilers crease is suddenly a problem
Jarry has made eight appearances this season, and Levi has seven. Neither is available tonight, which is how a seven-game NHL veteran ends up with the net.
Edmonton can absorb it for one night. The Oilers are 11-2-3, second in the NHL and first in the Pacific Division, and they lost their last game 4-3 in a shootout at New Jersey on Tuesday.
The road has been their strength, with a 7-0-1 record away from Edmonton. At home, they sit at 4-2-2, which is the weaker side of the ledger.
Hyman's absence has already cost the Oilers a body on the wing. We covered Babcock's explanation of Hyman's injured reserve stint last week, and the wording from the coach then was cautious too.
Babcock's habit of vague timelines is fine when the standings look like this. It gets harder if Jarry's illness drags on and Levi isn't ready by Nov 9. A team that has leaned this hard on its goaltending can't carry a third-stringer for long.
Watch the next injury report. If Jarry is back for the weekend, tonight is a footnote. If he isn't, the Oilers have a real decision to make.
Should the Oilers rush Devon Levi back from injured reserve if Jarry stays sick?
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