The Edmonton Oilers made history as the first NHL team to dress a full-time emergency backup goalie (EBUG) for their Thursday night game against Anaheim. Brett Epp was in uniform while Matt Tomkins started between the pipes. This move comes as Tristan Jarry was sidelined due to illness, and both Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen remain injured.
The NHL mandated that all teams carry an EBUG on their rosters this season. EBUGs must travel with their club, wear No. 00, have 80 games or less of professional experience, and crucially, cannot have previously played in the NHL under a standard contract. They also cannot have suited up professionally over the three preceding campaigns.
This represents a shift from previous seasons when home teams were solely responsible for providing an EBUG in the event of an in-game goaltending emergency.
Source: ESPN NHL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing