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Levi got pep talk from Frederik Andersen that helped fuel big Edmonton Oilers win

Preston Hodgkinson
Preston Hodgkinson
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Oct 4 2026, 12:00 pm
Levi got pep talk from Frederik Andersen that helped fuel big Edmonton Oilers win
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images

You can never discount the advantage of a veteran presence in the NHL.

Despite a shorthanded lineup, the Edmonton Oilers found a way to defeat the Seattle Kraken by a score of 3-1 on Saturday night. Leon Draisaitl notched a late game-winner, and rookie Owen Michaels scored in his second-straight game, but Devon Levi was undoubtedly the story of the game for Edmonton.

The 24-year-old netminder didn’t exactly have the sparkling debut against the Vancouver Canucks that everybody anticipated on Thursday night, allowing seven goals on 22 shots. A start like that has the potential to shake a young goalie’s confidence, but that wasn’t the case for Levi.

He was solid between the pipes vs. Seattle, stopping 19 of 20 shots, including an incredible game-saving play off Jordan Eberle in the third period to keep the game tied.

“Feels good, obviously. I personally walk away from that Vancouver game just with the win. That’s all I take from that game. Turn the page and get to work the next day,” Levi told reporters after Saturday’s victory. “Knowing the coaches trust me, the boys trust me, definitely improves confidence as a goalie.

“I think the support system here has been amazing so far, and it definitely feels good.”

One of the most important players in that support system has apparently been Frederik Andersen. The reigning Stanley Cup champion goaltender has been seldom seen around the Oilers as he rehabs from an injury, but he’s been working with Levi behind the scenes.

Head coach Mike Babcock told reporters that Levi is a confident goaltender, but having a veteran like Andersen with the team has been critical to his NHL transition.

“I thought Freddy Andersen did a heck of a job with him the other day,” Babcock told reporters. “He’s talking to him about tightness, and Freddy’s been through it, lived it… To have a guy like that in your organization that can share his experience with young guys, I think helps them.”

Though Levi spent four seasons in the Buffalo Sabres organization, he told reporters that having a player like Andersen to talk to is a new experience. One that appears to have paid off after a rough Oilers debut.

“Freddy has been awesome so far,” Levi said. “Some great conversations with him, a lot of support from him too. I’ve never really had a veteran goalie on my team in the goalie system, so having his support, he’s been through so much.

“Hearing what he has to say, his leadership also has been super helpful too. So I’m super happy he’s around.”

The first two games of the season weren’t exactly encouraging from the Oilers goaltenders, but Levi proved that he has the potential to turn in a solid performance. Moving forward, he’ll have every opportunity to wrestle away Edmonton’s starting job from a struggling Tristan Jarry.

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