NHL Player News

Vejmelka will patrol the home crease against Dallas on Monday, Belle Fraser of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Vejmelka will get the second half of Utah's back-to-back after Jaxson Stauber played in Sunday's 5-4 shootout loss to Anaheim. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has stopped 94 of 101 shots during his four-game winning streak. He has posted a record of 8-7-2 with a 2.29 GAA and a .918 save percentage through 19 appearances this season. Vejmelka surrendered two goals on 21 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Stars on Dec. 2. Dallas sits 11th in the league with 3.16 goals per game in 2024-25.

Binnington will defend the road net against the Red Wings on Monday, according to Lou Korac of The Hockey News.

Binnington hasn't won in his last five outings (0-4-1) while allowing 16 goals on 127 shots. He has posted a record of 8-13-3 with one shutout, a 3.00 GAA and an .896 save percentage through 25 appearances this season. Detroit sits 27th in the league with 2.64 goals per game in 2024-25.

Gustavsson was the first goalie off Monday, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports, signaling that he'll start at home against Chicago.

Gustavsson had already been cleared to suit up after missing the last four games due to a lower-body injury, but the team wasn't sure whether the 26-year-old would start over Marc-Andre Fleury. Gustavsson will ultimately return to the net Monday for the Wild's final game before the Christmas break, and he'll have a favorable matchup in his first appearance following his absence, as the Blackhawks are averaging just 2.56 goals per game this season, which is the fourth-worst mark in the NHL.

Montembeault will serve as the starting goaltender for Monday's road game against the Blue Jackets.

Montembeault will attempt to keep his hot streak going in the Canadiens' final game before the Christmas break, as he's gone 3-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .929 save percentage over his last three starts. The Blue Jackets are a formidable opponent, as they're tied for ninth in the NHL with 3.26 goals per game, but the Canadiens have also provided plenty of offensive support recently, as they've totaled 15 goals over the last three games.

Woll will protect the home net against the Jets on Monday, according to Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press.

Woll surrendered five goals on 33 shots in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Islanders. He has a 9-5-0 record with one shutout, a 2.50 GAA and a .912 save percentage through 14 appearances this season. Winnipeg ranks third in the league with 3.66 goals per game in 2024-25.

Gustavsson (lower body) will return to the lineup in Monday's game against Chicago, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.

Minnesota hasn't decided if Gustavsson or Marc-Andre Fleury will start in Monday's matchup. Still, it's encouraging that the 26-year-old Gustavsson is healthy again after missing the last four games due to injury. He has posted a 14-5-3 record with two shutouts, a 2.24 GAA and a .922 save percentage across 22 appearances this season.

Hellebuyck will guard the road goal versus the Maple Leafs on Monday, per Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press.

Hellebuyck has stopped 77 of 82 shots during his three-game winning streak and posted a 19-save shutout victory against Minnesota on Saturday. He has a 21-5-1 record with a 2.07 GAA and a .927 save percentage through 27 appearances this season. Hellebuck allowed five goals on 35 shots in a 6-4 loss to the Maple Leafs on Oct. 28. Toronto has registered 3.12 goals per game in 2024-25.

Ersson will defend the road crease against the Penguins on Monday.

Ersson earned the overtime win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday despite turning aside just 21 of 25 shots (.840 save percentage). The 25-year-old hasn't been particularly effective since returning from a lower-body injury, going 2-3-0 with a 3.85 GAA and .830 save percentage over his last five starts.

Talbot will tend the twine during Monday's home game against the Blues, Daniella Bruce of the Red Wings' official site reports.

Talbot was in the starter's crease during Monday's morning skate, and head coach Derek Lalonde confirmed afterward that the 37-year-old will start in Detroit's final game before the Christmas break. Talbot will have a favorable matchup, as the Blues rank 31st in the NHL with 2.46 goals per game this season.

Stauber stopped 26 of 30 shots in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Ducks.

Stauber was tagged with the loss in a game that was decided on a shootout, where he gave up the decider to Mason McTavish. Stauber has yet to be defeated in regulation this season, going 2-0-1 with a 1.96 GAA and a .928 save percentage in three appearances. That said, his fantasy upside shouldn't be very high even if the numbers (in a small sample) are impressive, as he'll remain in the backup role behind Karel Vejmelka, and he'll likely be demoted to AHL Tucson once Connor Ingram (upper body) is ready to return.