MATT TOMKINS NEWS

On waivers The Lightning placed Tomkins on waivers Friday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Impact During the 2023-24 regular season, Tomkins had a 3.33 GAA and a .892 save percentage in six games with Tampa Bay as well as a 2.53 GAA and a .904 save percentage across 29 appearances with AHL Syracuse. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jonas Johansson are penciled in as Tampa Bay's starting and backup goaltenders, respectfully, so Tomkins is expected to head to the minors if he goes unclaimed. However, Tomkins might be recalled if Vasilevskiy or Johansson get hurt during the campaign.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Starting preseason game Tomkins will patrol the home crease versus the Hurricanes in Tuesday's preseason contest, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Tomkins spent most of last season at AHL Syracuse, posting a 2.53 GAA and a .904 save percentage over 29 games. He also made six appearances with the Lightning, going 3-2-1 with a 3.33 GAA and an .892 save percentage. Barring injuries to Andrei Vasilevskiy or Jonas johansson, Tomkins should be expected to spend most of 2024-25 in the AHL once again.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Starting preseason game Tomkins will patrol the home crease versus the Hurricanes in Tuesday's preseason contest, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Tomkins spent most of last season at AHL Syracuse, posting a 2.53 GAA and a .904 save percentage over 29 games. He also made six appearances with the Lightning, going 3-2-1 with a 3.33 GAA and an .892 save percentage. Barring injuries to Andrei Vasilevskiy or Jonas Johansson, Tomkins should be expected to spend most of 2024-25 in the AHL once again.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Reassigned to minors Tomkins was reassigned to AHL Syracuse on Tuesday.

Impact Tomkins appeared in six games with the Lightning this season, recording an .892 save percentage and a 3-2-1 record. The 29-year-old will look to lead AHL Syracuse to a potential Calder Cup Championship. He will likely be the backup for Tampa Bay heading into next season.

APRIL 30 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs win over Leafs Tomkins made 34 saves in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Maple Leafs.

Impact The 29-year-old goalie went down as the man who denied Auston Matthews his 70th goal of the season, making seven stops on the Toronto superstar in the first period alone. Tomkins supplied Tampa Bay with decent netminding down the stretch, going 2-0-1 in three April starts while giving up 10 goals on 95 shots (.895 save percentage), but he'll be firmly on the bench behind Andrei Vasilevskiy when the Lightning begin their first-round series against the Panthers on Sunday.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

TOR@TBL: Brodie scores goal against Matt Tomkins | Toronto Maple Leafs TOR@TBL: Brodie scores goal against Matt Tomkins

APRIL 18 • NHL.COM

TOR@TBL: Holmberg scores goal against Matt Tomkins | Toronto Maple Leafs TOR@TBL: Holmberg scores goal against Matt Tomkins

APRIL 18 • NHL.COM

TOR@TBL: Tavares scores goal against Matt Tomkins | Toronto Maple Leafs TOR@TBL: Tavares scores goal against Matt Tomkins

APRIL 18 • NHL.COM

TOR@TBL: Reaves scores goal against Matt Tomkins | Toronto Maple Leafs TOR@TBL: Reaves scores goal against Matt Tomkins

APRIL 17 • NHL.COM

Leaves ice first Wednesday Tomkins was the first goalie to exit the ice Wednesday, indicating he'll be between the home pipes versus Toronto, Mark Masters of TSN reports.

Impact Tomkins will make just his sixth start in an NHL crease, having gone 2-2-1 with a 3.19 GAA in his previous five contests. The decision to start Tomkins certainly makes sense considering the Bolts can't change their position in the playoff standings. Starter Andrei Vasilevskiy will get the night off in order to prepare while Tomkins likely makes his final appearance in the crease this season.

APRIL 17 • ROTOWIRE

Still waiting on first home win Tomkins made 25 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Senators on Thursday.

Impact He played well enough to earn his first home win, but it was for naught. Tomkins is 1-0-1 since his call-up earlier this month following Jonas Johansson's lower body injury. He will remain with the team as the postseason approaches if JJ can't go.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

OTT@TBL: Batherson scores goal against Matt Tomkins | Ottawa Senators OTT@TBL: Batherson scores goal against Matt Tomkins

APRIL 12 • NHL.COM

OTT@TBL: Tkachuk scores goal against Matt Tomkins | Ottawa Senators OTT@TBL: Tkachuk scores goal against Matt Tomkins

APRIL 11 • NHL.COM

Starting Thursday Tomkins will make his home debut as a member of the Lightning on Thursday against Ottawa, per Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com.

Impact Tomkins last started last Thursday against Montreal, turning aside 26 of 30 shots en route to a 7-4 victory. The 29-year-old has drawn into four games for Tampa Bay this season, recording a 2-2-0 record and an .883 save percentage. He'll enter a favorable matchup against Ottawa, a team which has gone 14-22-2 on the road this season.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Plays Habs slayer Tomkins made 27 saves in a 7-4 win in Montreal on Thursday.

Impact It was his first start since Nov. 7, when he got his first NHL victory also over Montreal on the road. Tompkins is not a viable fantasy option right now, but it's a great story for the 29-year-old journeyman who will someday be able to tell his grandchildren that he was a Hab-slayer.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

TBL@MTL: Slafkovsky scores goal against Matt Tomkins | Montréal Canadiens TBL@MTL: Slafkovsky scores goal against Matt Tomkins

APRIL 5 • NHL.COM

TBL@MTL: Armia scores goal against Matt Tomkins | Montréal Canadiens TBL@MTL: Armia scores goal against Matt Tomkins

APRIL 5 • NHL.COM

Slated to face Canadiens Tomkins is set to start on the road against Montreal on Thursday, per Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida.

Impact It will be Tomkins' first start at the NHL level since Nov. 7 when he saved 23 of 26 shots in a 5-3 win over the Canadiens. He's back with the Lightning because Jonas Johansson is dealing with a lower-body injury and is getting the nod after Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 28 of 29 shots in a 4-1 win over Toronto on Wednesday. Tomkins has a 2.53 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 29 outings with AHL Syracuse this campaign. Montreal ranks 27th offensively with 2.72 goals per contest, so this figures to be a favorable matchup for Tomkins.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Tomkins likely to start for Lightning on Thursday in Montreal An emergency recall from AHL Syracuse, Tomkins, 29, will work the second of back-to-back games.

APRIL 3 • TAMPABAY.COM

Recalled from AHL Tomkins was recalled from the AHL on Tuesday, per Diandra Loux.

Impact Tomkins has started three games with the big club this season, recording an .889 save percentage and a 1-2 record. The 29-year-old was recalled after backup goalie Jonas Johansson is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He could see a start on Thursday as the Lightning play Wednesday as well.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

On waiver wire Thursday The Lightning placed Tomkins on waivers Thursday, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic.

Impact This is great news for Andrei Vasilevskiy (back surgery) and his fantasy managers as he is expected to return to action Friday versus Carolina or Monday in Colorado. Tomkins was 1-2-0, giving up 10 goals on 90 shots in his three appearances. He will be returned to AHL Syracuse, should he pass through waivers.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

How Lightning's Matt Tomkins beat the odds, made his way to NHL at 29 After toiling in the minors, the goaltender’s career took a detour abroad. It was the best decision he made.

NOVEMBER 11, 2023 • TAMPABAY.COM

Hangs on for first NHL win Tomkins turned aside 23 shots in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Canadiens.

Impact The 29-year-old recorded his first career win in the NHL, but it nearly slipped through his fingers -- the Lightning handed Tomkins a 4-0 lead heading into the third period as they dominated play, but he then had to withstand a furious comeback attempt by the Habs that featured half of the home squad's 26 shots on the night. Tomkins' .889 save percentage through his first three starts this season isn't going to earn him more consistent playing time, but the Bolts seem content with his play so far as Jonas Johansson's backup.

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

For Lightning rookie Matt Tomkins, earning his first NHL win at age 29 in Montreal is 'special' Tomkins grew up idolizing Patrick Roy and Carey Price so to win his first NHL game in Montreal means a lot to him.

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Starting in Montreal Tomkins will guard the road goal versus the Canadiens on Tuesday, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

Impact Tomkins has lost his first two starts of the season, allowing seven goals on 64 shots. The 29-year-old will face a Canadiens team that has scored just seven goals during their three-game losing streak.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE