NHL Player News

Gustavsson stopped 18 of 22 shots in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche in Game 2.

Gustavsson went into the playoffs cold, and that led to him watching from the bench for the first seven games of the postseason. He didn't make a great impression in this contest, which led to the Wild falling behind 2-0 in the series. Gustavsson went 28-15-6 with a 2.69 GAA and a .903 save percentage over 50 regular-season contests, so he can play better than he's shown lately, though his work at the Olympics may have added some fatigue. With both Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt coming off ugly losses, it's unclear who the Wild will turn to in Game 3 on home ice Saturday.

Wedgewood stopped 29 of 31 shots in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 2.

This game started where the previous one left off, but the Avalanche were able to get control and keep the Wild at bay. Wedgewood came away with his 10th straight win overall, which includes all six playoff contests so far. He has added a 2.12 GAA and a .923 save percentage. With some time off before Game 3 on Saturday in Minnesota, Wedgewood should be rested and ready to go as he looks to keep his winning streak going.

Kahkonen posted an 18-save shutout in AHL Laval's 4-0 win over Toronto in Game 4 on Tuesday.

Kahkonen didn't have a shutout during the AHL regular season, but he went 21-9-7 with a 2.73 GAA and an .895 save percentage over 38 appearances. The Finnish goalie has operated as Laval's primary option between the pipes during the playoffs, as Jacob Fowler is with the Canadiens during their postseason run.

Wedgewood will protect the home goal versus the Wild in Game 2 on Tuesday, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.

Wedgewood will be given a chance to bounce back after surrendering six goals on 36 shots in Sunday's Game 1. Despite that outing, he has a 1.80 GAA and a .931 save percentage across six playoff contests. The Wild continue to be a formidable foe, but Wedgewood's performance should be a bit more dialed in for this game.

Gustavsson will get the starting nod for Game 2 on the road versus the Avalanche on Tuesday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Gustavsson will make his first appearance in the postseason, having watched Jesper Wallstedt feature in the last seven contests. For his part, the 27-year-old Gustavsson went 28-15-6 with a 2.69 GAA, .903 save percentage and four shutouts in 50 regular-season outings. At this point, Gustavsson's hold on the starting job should be considered tenuous at best.

Hart stopped 33 of 34 shots in Monday's 3-1 win over the Ducks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Hart looked en route to a Game 1 shutout, but Mikael Granlund had other plans when he scored with a snap shot midway through the third period. Still, that was the only time Hart was beaten, and the Golden Knights provided enough offense to allow the 27-year-old to secure the win. In seven playoff appearances so far, Hart has gone 5-2-0 with a 2.49 GAA and a .905 save percentage on 200 shots faced.

Dostal stopped 19 of 21 shots in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The third goal was an empty-netter with six seconds left in the game.

Dostal couldn't do much in the two goals he allowed, and by the time the Golden Knights added a third one, he was already on the bench. Despite the loss, Dostal continues to deliver solid performances for a Ducks defense that ranked fourth-worst in the regular season in goals allowed (288). He has posted a save percentage above the .900 mark in his last two starts, which is a massive uptick compared to his previous playoff performances.

Andersen stopped 34 shots Monday in the Hurricanes' 3-2 overtime win over the Flyers in Game 2 of their second-round series.

Philly scored twice in 39 seconds early in the first period to grab an early 2-0 lead, but Andersen kept his focus and shut the door the rest of the way as Carolina's offense got rolling. The veteran netminder remains undefeated this postseason, going 6-0 with a stunning 1.02 GAA and .958 save percentage as the series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Thursday.

Vladar made 40 saves Monday in the Flyers' 3-2 overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 2 of their second-round series.

Philadelphia grabbed a 2-0 lead before five minutes had elapsed in the first period, but Vladar couldn't make it hold up as he faced his highest shot volume yet in the postseason. The 28-year-old netminder still hasn't given up more than three goals in any of his eight playoff starts so far, posting a dazzling 1.89 GAA and .929 save percentage, but he and the Flyers are down two games to none as the series shifts to Philly for Game 3 on Thursday.

Vladar will start Monday's Game 2 on the road against Carolina.

Vladar drew the Game 1 start in Carolina and allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 save percentage) in the 3-0 loss. However, he posted shutouts in two of his six first-round appearances and will attempt to bounce back in Game 2 of the second round Monday.