Oilers’ Devon Levi: Could He Be the Answer in Goal?

The Edmonton Oilers may have found something interesting in Devon Levi. The 24-year-old is getting another start Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings, and while his early numbers aren't exactly setting the world on fire, there's a reason to pay attention.

Levi is 3-0-0 in his first three starts this season. That's the good news. The less encouraging part is a 3.35 goals-against average and an .863 save percentage. Those numbers tell us he's had some difficult moments, even if the Oilers have managed to win every game he's started. Still, I'm not ready to write him off. In fact, I'd like to see what happens when he gets a little more opportunity.

Levi Has Something the Oilers Need.

Let's give Tristan Jarry some credit here. He's played better than some might have expected, and the Oilers shouldn't overlook that. Edmonton needs reliable goaltending now, not just promises about what might happen down the road. But Levi brings something different to the conversation. He's young enough to have plenty of room to grow, and the Oilers have a chance to find out whether he can become more than a short-term solution.

That's the tricky part with young goalies. Sometimes they need time to settle in. They need to see enough shots, face different kinds of pressure, and learn how to recover when a goal gets past them. You can't always judge a goalie by three starts, particularly when the team in front of him has its own defensive issues to sort out.

Edmonton's challenge is figuring out whether Levi can develop into someone they can trust when the games really matter.

What Would a Good Night Look Like Against the Kings?

The Kings aren't exactly lighting up the scoreboard early this season. They rank 25th in the NHL at 2.50 goals per game, which gives Levi a reasonable opportunity to put together a solid outing.

For me, the best-case scenario isn't necessarily a shutout or some spectacular 40-save performance. It's a calm, confident game. Make the routine saves, control the rebounds, and don't let one bad goal turn into two. If the Oilers give him a lead, the next step is helping them protect it.

And if Levi can give Edmonton a chance to win without needing to score five or six goals at the other end, that would be encouraging.

Can Levi Show the Oilers He Could Be Their Answer in Goal?

Nobody should be calling him the answer after three starts. But the Oilers don't have to settle that question tonight, either.

They just need to see another step forward. If Levi can deliver that, Edmonton might have something worth being patient with.