NHL Player News
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Juuse Saros G | NSH
Predators' Juuse Saros: Bounced by Bruins in OT
Saros made 25 saves in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to Boston.
The Predators never led in the game, rallying from a 2-0 deficit late in the second period to force overtime, and Saros had little chance on David Pastrnak's winner just 15 seconds into the extra frame. The veteran netminder has given up at least three goals in six straight outings, posting a shaky 3.69 GAA and .887 save percentage over that stretch while coming away with a 3-2-1 record.
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Logan Thompson G | WAS
Capitals' Logan Thompson: Surrenders five goals to Kraken
Thompson stopped 27 of 32 shots in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Kraken.
Thompson was good in the first period, but the Kraken's pressure broke through for three goals in the second and two more in the third. The 28-year-old netminder hadn't given up five goals since he let in six versus the Rangers on Dec. 23. This was Thompson's fourth loss in his last five outings, and he's now at an 18-16-4 record with a 2.46 GAA and a .912 save percentage over 38 starts. He's well on his way to a career-high workload, and that doesn't even include potential game action at the Olympics with Team Canada. The Capitals' current road trip ends Thursday in Detroit.
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Philipp Grubauer G | SEA
Kraken's Philipp Grubauer: Steady in win
Grubauer stopped 19 of 20 shots in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Capitals.
Grubauer limited the damage to an Alex Ovechkin power-play goal in the third period. The 34-year-old Grubauer has won just three of his last six games (3-2-1) with 15 goals allowed in that span, which has been enough for him to see a majority of the starts in January. It looked like the Kraken were pivoting to a hot-hand approach in the crease, but Joey Daccord didn't get the net after his win Sunday over the Devils, so Grubauer may still have a slight advantage. For the season, Grubauer has been good with an 11-5-3 record, a 2.34 GAA and a .919 save percentage over 21 appearances. The Kraken host the Maple Leafs on Thursday.
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Nikita Tolopilo G | VAN
Canucks' Nikita Tolopilo: Allows two goals in relief outing
Tolopilo gave up two goals on 27 shots in relief of Kevin Lankinen in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Sharks.
Tolopilo was able to stabilize things after Lankinen was pulled just 5:55 into the game with the Canucks down 3-1. Both goals Tolopilo allowed came on San Jose power plays. For the season, Tolopilo is 2-3-0 with a 3.72 GAA and an .887 save percentage in seven appearances. He's been alternating between the NHL and AHL, sharing the backup role in Vancouver with Jiri Patera, so it's unclear if Tolopilo will see enough time or perform well enough to warrant consideration in fantasy.
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Kevin Lankinen G | VAN
Canucks' Kevin Lankinen: Pulled early Tuesday
Lankinen stopped three of six shots before he was relieved by Nikita Tolopilo in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Sharks.
Lankinen was pulled 5:55 into the game with the Canucks already trailing 3-1. The 30-year-old is in line for the bulk of the starts in Vancouver for the rest of the season since Thatcher Demko (hip) is set for season-ending surgery. Lankinen's workload may be more secure, but his results will likely keep fantasy managers away. He's now 1-7-1 in January and 7-17-4 on the season with a 3.54 GAA and an .881 save percentage through 29 appearances. The Canucks' next game is Thursday at home versus the Ducks.
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Yaroslav Askarov G | SJ
Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov: Cruises to win
Askarov allowed two goals on 25 shots in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.
Askarov gave up the first goal of the game, but the Sharks responded quickly with three tallies, which was all the support he needed. The 23-year-old netminder snapped his three-game losing streak with this effort, and he allowed fewer than three goals for the first time since Nov. 28, which was also against the Canucks. Askarov is 17-13-1 with a 3.46 GAA and an .891 save percentage over 32 appearances. The Sharks' road trip continues in Edmonton on Thursday, which could be a start for Alex Nedeljkovic if head coach Ryan Warsofsky continues to rotate his goalies.
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Spencer Knight G | CHI
Blackhawks' Spencer Knight: Squanders lead, loses in shootout
Knight stopped 20 of 23 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Wild.
The Blackhawks controlled the first half of the game, but the Wild roared back, with Knight unable to maintain a three-goal lead. He also gave up the lone tally in the shootout to complete the collapse. Knight is down to 15-14-7 with a 2.59 GAA and a .910 save percentage over 36 starts this season. He'll likely split the next two games with Arvid Soderblom, as the Blackhawks are set for a back-to-back with games versus the Penguins on Thursday and the Blue Jackets on Friday.
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Jesper Wallstedt G | MIN
Wild's Jesper Wallstedt: Wins in shootout
Wallstedt stopped 29 of 32 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Blackhawks.
Wallstedt gave up the first three goals of the game, but the Wild picked him up with a comeback. This ended the goalie's three-game losing streak, but he's still allowed at least three goals in eight of his last nine games. For the season, he's at a 13-5-4 record with a 2.71 GAA and a .914 save percentage over 22 starts. His strong start to the year has masked his recent struggles, but he's in the backup role behind Filip Gustavsson now. The Wild have a favorable matchup Thursday versus the Flames, but a starting goalie hasn't been announced.
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Joseph Woll G | TOR
Maple Leafs' Joseph Woll: Where-o-where will help come from?
Woll made 24 saves in a 7-4 loss to Buffalo on Tuesday. He allowed six goals.
Woll's coach, Craig Berube, summed it up in the post-game media scrum: "You are not going to consistently win in this league by focusing on just scoring goals, you have to play the full rink and right now we are not doing a good enough job without the puck, that's it." Woll is a great young goalie, but when his teammates leave the zone early and miss coverages, there's only so much the guy can do. Woll has felt the pain from a lack of defensive support for a while. He's 0-3-2 in his last five starts dating back to Jan. 12. His .908 save percentage is above league average (.897), but that will continue to drop if the team cannot solve its woes.
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Jordan Binnington G | STL
Blues' Jordan Binnington: Gives up four goals in loss
Binnington allowed four goals on 24 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Stars.
Binnington took his fifth straight loss, and he's allowed at least three goals in each of those games (22 in total). The 32-year-old netminder struggled in the second period as the Stars converted twice on the power play, but it was Thomas Harley's goal at even strength late in the third that decided the game. Binnington is down to 8-15-6 with a 3.59 GAA and an .867 save percentage through 30 appearances this season. The Blues have mostly been alternating goalies lately, which suggests Joel Hofer will get the nod for Thursday's tough home matchup versus the Panthers.