NHL Player News

Pickard will defend the home crease against the Sharks on Saturday, Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels reports.

Pickard has made 11 appearances this season, going 7-3-0 with a 2.41 GAA and .901 save percentage. He'll draw the start in the first half of a back-to-back set Saturday, meaning that Stuart Skinner will likely tend the twine against the Senators on Sunday. Pickard will have a favorable matchup Saturday, as the Sharks average just 2.74 goals per game, which is the ninth-worst mark in the league.

Gibson will be between the home pipes versus Colorado on Friday, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Gibson halted a three-game losing streak Saturday as he turned aside 39 shots in a 4-3 victory in Columbus. Gibson is 5-4-1 with a 3.00 GAA and a .906 save percentage across 10 outings this season. The Avalache are averaging 3.26 goals per game in 2024-25, which ranks ninth in the NHL.

Vejmelka was the first goaltender off the ice at morning skate and is slated to patrol the visiting crease in Minnesota on Friday, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.

Vejmelka has won three straight games, allowing only six goals on 72 shots (.917 save percentage). Overall, Vejmelka is 7-7-2 with a gaudy 2.37 GAA and a .915 save percentage this year. The Wild are averaging 3.06 goals per game in 2024-25, which is tied for 15th in the NHL.

Soderblom stopped 27 of 28 shots in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Kraken.

Soderblom has won his last three starts and four of his last five, so the 25-year-old Swedish netminder is on a good run. He's given up two or fewer goals in three of those wins, and even though the 5-4 loss to the Islanders on Dec. 12 is a stain in that five-game stretch, Soderblom still owns a 2.50 GAA and a solid .909 save percentage in that aforementioned period.

Daccord stopped 21 of 24 shots in Thursday's loss to the Blackhawks.

Daccord has lost his past three starts, going 0-2-1 with a 2.39 GAA and a .917 save percentage in that span, but what's even more worrisome is the fact that he hasn't reached a .890 save percentage in his last two appearances. The 28-year-old has made 22 starts for the Kraken in 2024-25, going 12-8-2 with a 2.49 GAA and a .913 save percentage, however, so perhaps he's simply going through a rough patch. Things won't get easier for him or the Kraken, as they'll continue their road trip with games against the Golden Knights and Avalanche on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, before the Christmas break. With it being a back-to-back look for Daccord to split the set with Philipp Grubauer.

Shesterkin will defend the road crease against Dallas on Friday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Shesterkin has been in a bit of a slump this month, as he's gone 2-4-0 with a 3.36 GAA and an .892 save percentage over six appearances in December. He'll face a formidable foe Friday, as the Stars rank 11th in the NHL with 3.23 goals per game to begin the season.

Gustavsson (lower body) will not be in the crease for either of the Wild's next two contests, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports Friday.

Since Marc-Andre Fleury is getting the nod versus Utah at home Friday, Gustavsson's continued absence will likely see Jesper Wallstedt between the pipes on the road against Winnipeg on Saturday. Prior to getting hurt, Gustavsson was putting up solid numbers, posting a 5-1-0 record with a 2.40 GAA and one shutout in his last six outings. At this point, Minnesota may opt to hold Gustavsson out until after the Christmas break.

Fleury will defend the home cage against Utah on Friday, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.

Fleury will log his fifth appearance in the Wild's last seven outings as Filip Gustavsson (lower body) remains on the shelf. During that stretch, Fleury is 1-2-0 with a 3.33 GAA and .885 save percentage. With the Wild entering a back-to-back, it seems likely that Jesper Wallstedt will get the nod on the road against Winnipeg on Saturday -- though Gustavsson hasn't been officially ruled out yet.

Talbot (back) will start Friday's home game against the Canadiens.

Talbot has seen limited work in recent weeks while dealing with a back injury, but he'll return to action Friday after missing the last two games. Over 16 appearances this year, he's posted a 6-6-2 record, 2.69 GAA and .916 save percentage, and he'll have a somewhat favorable matchup Friday since the Canadiens are scoring 2.81 goals per game this year, which is the 10th-worst mark in the league.

Oettinger will be between the pipes for Friday's home game against the Rangers, Brien Rea of FanDuel Sports Network Southwest reports.

Oettinger will jump right back into the crease after getting the hook against the Leafs on Wednesday. The matchup Friday will be the netminder's eighth straight appearance, and he's posted a 3-4-0 record and 2.57 GAA in his last seven outings. While Oettinger hasn't been his usual dominant self, he clearly is going to be given time to work through any issues, leaving Casey DeSmith to feature primarily during back-to-backs.