Have the Oilers Finally Found Their Goaltender?

There’s a good case here that the Edmonton Oilers stumbled into something they weren’t fully expecting, and it starts with a story some Oilers fans might already know. Back during his breakout 2022-23 season in Buffalo, Devon Levi came up from Northeastern mid-season and nearly single-handedly dragged the Sabres into the playoff race.

He won four of his first five starts, stole games on pure composure, and gave the fanbase real hope that he’d become a cornerstone piece. The Sabres came up just short, but Levi’s rookie run was genuinely special. He posted a .901 save percentage through a taste of NHL pressure and showed remarkable consistency at every level he’d ever played: juniors, World Juniors gold, college, and then the NHL itself.

Levi’s Track Record with the Sabres Could Rise Up to Help the Oilers

That track record matters right now, because Levi’s early days in Edmonton tell a similar story of resilience. His first start was rough, seven goals allowed on 22 shots in a wild 9-7 win. The kind of outing that could easily get into a young goalie’s head. But Babcock gave him the net right back, and Levi answered with a strong 19-of-20 performance against Seattle, including a highlight-reel glove save on Jordan Eberle that Leon Draisaitl himself praised afterward.

Here’s why that bounce-back actually matters more than either individual result. What made Levi special in Buffalo wasn’t flawless goaltending. It was his ability to track the puck, stay composed under pressure, and perform consistently across every level he’d ever competed at. That’s exactly what showed up again against Seattle. He showed better puck tracking, fewer bad rebounds, and the mental toughness to shake off a disastrous first outing instead of spiralling.