NHL Player News

Thompson stopped 22 of 24 shots in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Canadiens.

Thompson has gone four straight starts without losing in regulation, going 3-0-1 with a 2.23 GAA and a .910 save percentage in that span. The 27-year-old has been playing well of late, but the Capitals have been splitting starts, so it wouldn't be surprising if Charlie Lindgren gets the nod for Thursday's road game against Columbus. However, with four days of rest between games, Thompson could very well make back-to-back starts for the first time since Nov. 9 and Nov. 13.

Garand was recalled from AHL Hartford on Sunday.

Igor Shesterkin (personal) and his wife are expecting the birth of their child, so Garand will probably be Jonathan Quick's backup in Sunday's home game versus Seattle. The 22-year-old Garand has a 7-2-2 record with a 2.42 GAA and a .917 save percentage in 11 AHL appearances this campaign.

Blackwood stopped 49 of 52 shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Panthers.

Blackwood returned to a starting role after a relief appearance Thursday in which he gave up three goals in an 8-1 loss to Tampa Bay. The 27-year-old had won his last two starts against Seattle and Washington but couldn't keep that streak alive despite making a season-high 49 saves -- only the second time he's made more than 40 saves in a game. Despite losing Saturday, Blackwood has looked solid of late. Even when factoring in the relief appearance against the Lightning on Thursday, he's 2-1-0 with a 2.48 GAA and a .936 save percentage in his last four contests.

Shesterkin (personal) isn't expected to be in the lineup for Sunday's home matchup against Seattle because his wife has gone into labor, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

With Shesterkin and his wife expecting the birth of their child, the Rangers recalled Dylan Garand from AHL Hartford on Sunday. Garand will probably occupy the backup role behind Jonathan Quick versus the Kraken.

Bobrovsky stopped 28 of 29 shots in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Sharks.

Making his return from a three-game absence, with one absence due to rest and two due to the birth of his second child, the 36-year-old netminder was outstanding and took advantage of a favorable matchup against one of the worst offenses in the league. Bobrovsky has won his last three starts, posting an excellent 1.67 GAA and .940 save percentage in that span.

Sorokin turned aside 28 shots in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Hurricanes.

The Islanders took a 4-2 lead into the third period, and Sorokin had to stand on his head to make it hold up -- Carolina out-shot New York 19-2 in the final frame, but the 29-year-old netminder didn't let a puck get by him until there were just 49 seconds left in the game and the 'Canes had their goalie pulled for an extra attacker. Sorokin has started four straight games with Semyon Varlamov (lower body) unavailable, going 2-1-1 with a 2.43 GAA and .910 save percentage, and he could play again Sunday in Ottawa.

Kochetkov stopped 21 shots in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Islanders.

Three goals in the back half of the second period gave New York a 4-2 lead, and while the Hurricanes absolutely dominated the third by out-shooting the Isles 19-2, Carolina couldn't find an equalizer. Kochetkov has lost two of three starts since returning from a concussion, giving up 11 goals on just 72 shots over that stretch, but with Frederik Andersen (knee) sidelined until late January at the earliest, the younger netminder has little competition for the top spot in the Carolina crease.

Soderblom allowed three goals on 24 shots to take the loss Saturday against the Jets after replacing Petr Mrazek (undisclosed) midway through the first period.

Soderblom inherited a 1-0 lead and headed into the first intermission with Chicago ahead 2-1, but the home squad managed to get just six total shots on net over the final two frames, eventually falling 4-2 to Winnipeg. Initial reports on Mrazek suggest he'll miss some additional time, so Soderblom will likely be between the pipes Monday on the road against the Rangers, with Mitchell Weeks or Drew Commesso likely getting the call from AHL Rockford to back him up. Through eight appearances this season, Soderblom is just 1-6-1 despite a more than respectable 2.60 GAA and .915 save percentage, and he hasn't allowed more than three goals in any of his outings.

Hellebuyck made 12 saves in Saturday's 4-2 win over Chicago.

The home squad got two pucks by Hellebuyck in the first period, then totaled only six shots on net over the final 40 minutes as the Jets completely dominated. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner seems intent on a repeat -- he leads the NHL with 17 wins, four clear of second place, and only Filip Gustavsson has a better GAA or save percentage on the season than Hellebuyck's 2.13 and .925 marks.

Binnington surrendered four goals on 22 shots in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Oilers.

A bad line change and a turnover led to the Oilers' first two goals, and they scored their third on the power play. That was too much for Binnington and the Blues to come back from, though their third-period effort was a good attempt. Inconsistency remains the theme with Binnington -- he's 4-3-1 over his last eight outings, allowing three or more goals four times in that span. He's now 8-10-2 with a 2.93 GAA and an .897 save percentage through 21 starts, numbers far too similar to his 2022-23 performance rather than his much better 2023-24. The Blues will wrap up their four-game road trip Tuesday in Vancouver.