NHL Player News

Askarov stopped 27 of 29 shots in Saturday's 4-2 preseason win over the Golden Knights.

Askarov was crucial in keeping the Sharks in the game even though the Golden Knights looked in control for much of the contest. He kept the Golden Knights scoreless in the first period and allowed only Tomas Hertl's power-play tally through 40 minutes despite facing 25 shots over the opening two frames. The 24-year-old will open the 2026-27 season as the Sharks' top-choice goaltender and will look to bounce back after a 2025-26 campaign in which he went 21-20-4 with a 3.63 GAA and a disappointing .883 save percentage over 47 regular-season appearances.

Sorokin stopped 22 of 26 shots in Saturday's 4-1 preseason loss to the Devils.

Sorokin faced considerably more pressure than Allen and surrendered all four goals during the opening two periods. Despite the final line, Sorokin made several difficult stops as the game progressed, including a third-period breakaway save on Jack Hughes. It was Sorokin's first full game of the preseason after splitting his previous appearance, and the Islanders finished exhibition play 1-3-0. Sorokin is slated to open the 2026-27 season as the No. 1 goaltender ahead of the season opener versus the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Allen stopped 14 of 15 shots in Saturday's 4-1 preseason win over the Islanders.

Allen carried a shutout deep into the third period after New Jersey built a 4-0 advantage through 40 minutes, but the Islanders scored their lone goal via Simon Holmstrom with only 4:39 remaining. Allen played the entire contest, and ti seems the veteran will open the 2026-27 season as the No. 1 goaltender for the Devils, beginning with the season opener against the Flyers on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Knight stopped 29 of 31 shots in Saturday's 3-2 preseason win over the Blues.

Knight kept St. Louis scoreless for most of the first two periods while Chicago built a 3-0 advantage. Jonatan Berggren finally beat him with 56 seconds remaining in the second, and Colton Parayko cut the lead to one with an extra-attacker goal at 18:44 of the third. Knight held off the Blues' final push to finish with a .935 save percentage and earn his second win in as many preseason starts. He should open the regular season as the starter against the Golden Knights on Tuesday night.

Hofer stopped 19 of 22 shots in Saturday's 3-2 preseason loss to the Blackhawks.

Hofer played nearly the entire contest and was beaten three times over the first 30 minutes. Anton Frondell opened the scoring off a rebound in the first period before Ian Cole and Roman Kantserov converted breakaways 2:31 apart in the second, with Kantserov's tally coming on the power play. Hofer settled down after Chicago built its 3-0 advantage and didn't allow another goal before being pulled for the extra attacker late in the third, but it was too late to mount a comeback. Hofer posted a 24-13-5 record with six shutouts, a 2.61 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 46 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season, and it remains to be seen whether he or Jordan Binnington will start in the regular-season opener against the Stars on Friday, Oct. 2.

Lankinen stopped 25 of 28 shots in Saturday's 4-3 preseason win over the Kraken.

Lankinen surrendered two goals during the opening eight minutes as Seattle quickly built a 2-0 advantage, but he settled down while Vancouver worked its way back into the contest. Berkly Catton beat him early in the third to put the Kraken back ahead 3-2, though Lankinen shut the door from there while Zeev Buium and Jake DeBrusk scored power-play goals to complete the comeback. The 31-year-old played all 60 minutes and finished with an .893 save percentage in this game. He posted an .875 save percentage in 47 starts in the 2025-26 regular season and is slated to open the 2026-27 season as the No. 1 option between the posts for Vancouver.

Daccord stopped 26 of 30 shots in Saturday's 4-3 preseason loss to the Canucks.

Daccord had a strong showing in the early stages of the game and limited Vancouver to two goals through the opening 40 minutes, but the Canucks' power play ultimately proved decisive. Zeev Buium tied the game at 3-3 on the man advantage late in the third before Jake DeBrusk, who had three points, redirected a shot past Daccord with 1:38 remaining for the game-winning goal. Daccord played the entire contest and finished Seattle's preseason finale with an .867 save percentage. He's slated to be the starter in the season opener against Calgary on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Fowler stopped 16 of 18 shots in Saturday's 4-2 preseason win over the Senators.

Both goals against Fowler came on Ottawa power plays in the opening period. Philip Tomasino opened the scoring at 11:54 before Tyler Boucher restored the Senators' lead at 19:19, with Montreal answering each time to send the game into the first intermission tied 2-2. Fowler remained perfect through his second-period stretch before giving way to Sam Montembeault at 10:43, and the Canadiens scored twice in the third to secure the win. The Canadiens have a crowded situation between the pipes, but it seems Fowler will open the season as the No. 2 goaltender -- ahead of Montembeault but behind Jakub Dobes.

Montembeault stopped all 14 shots he faced in Saturday's 4-2 preseason win over the Senators.

Montembeault replaced Jacob Fowler 10:43 into the second period and shut down Ottawa the rest of the way. He was tested immediately after entering, making several stops during a Senators power play, and ultimately kept Ottawa scoreless for nearly 30 minutes while Montreal turned a 2-2 tie into a two-goal victory. It was an encouraging finish to the preseason for Montembeault as Montreal sorts through a crowded goaltending situation. On paper, though, it seems Montembeault will open the regular season as the No. 3 goaltender behind Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler. The Canadiens open their 2026-27 season against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday in Opening Night.

Ersson stopped 22 of 26 shots in Saturday's 4-2 preseason loss to the Canadiens.

Ersson allowed one goal in the first period and another early in the second before Montreal broke a 2-2 tie with two third-period tallies. The 26-year-old made his second preseason appearance against Montreal after stopping 32 of 35 shots in Monday's 3-2 overtime loss to the same Canadiens team. Ersson will open the 2026-27 season as Ottawa's No. 2 goalkeeper.