NHL Player News

Wedgewood stopped 28 of 30 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Mammoth.

Wedgewood got the start in the first half of the back-to-back set and looked poised between the pipes en route to the win. He hasa 4-3-1 record in eight outings since the start of the calendar year while allowing two or fewer goals in five games during that span, so his performances have been better than his 2.75 GAA indicates. Wedgewood should return to the No. 2 role with Mackenzie Blackwood expected to get the start against the Wild on Thursday.

Dobes is expected to patrol the crease at home versus Washington on Saturday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

It will be Sam Montembeault who gets the first game coming out of the break, featuring against the Islanders on Thursday before Dobes gets the nod Saturday. In his last seven appearances, the 24-year-old Dobes hasn't suffered a regulation loss, going 6-0-1 with a .886 save percentage.

Merzlikins will start Thursday's road game against Boston, The Hockey News reports.

Merzlikins was effective heading into the Olympic break, going 5-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .924 save percentage over his last six starts. He'll draw the start in the Blue Jackets' first game following the layoff but will face a tough test in the Bruins, who are tied for sixth in the NHL with 3.39 goals per game.

DeSmith stopped 18 of 19 shots in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Kraken.

DeSmith got the start Wednesday due to travel logistics, as Jake Oettinger was returning from the 2026 Winter Olympics. DeSmith responded well, but he's expected to return to his regular No. 2 role when the Stars take on the Predators on Saturday.

Daccord stopped 28 of 32 shots in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Stars.

Daccord headed into the Olympic break having won each of his last four starts, but there wasn't much he could've done in this game against a red-hot Stars offense. Daccord has gone 6-4-0 with a 3.01 GAA and an .899 save percentage in his 10 appearances since the beginning of January, but with four starts in Seattle's last five games, he's been taking playing time away from Philipp Grubauer of late.

Swayman will not be in the lineup against Columbus on Thursday, Scott McLaughlin of WEEI reports.

Swayman will take the extra day of rest following his participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics. In his stead, Joonas Korpisalo will get the nod at home versus the Jackets while Michael DiPietro serves as the backup. Look for Swayman to be back between the pipes when the Bruins travel to Philadelphia on Saturday.

Shesterkin (lower body) was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll return to action to start at home against the Flyers.

Shesterkin missed the final month before the Olympic break due to his lower-body injury, but he's been cleared to return in the Rangers' first game following the layoff. He made a home start against the Flyers on Dec. 20 and turned aside 28 of 32 shots (.875 save percentage) in a 5-4 overtime victory.

Montembeault will start Thursday's home game against the Islanders, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Montembeault was inconsistent ahead of the Olympic break, going 2-2-1 with a 3.20 GAA and .893 save percentage over his last five outings. The Islanders are tied for 23rd in the NHL with 2.84 goals per game this season.

Silovs was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports, indicating that he'll draw the home start against the Devils.

Silovs suited up for Latvia during the 2026 Winter Olympics, but he'll still draw the Penguins' first start following the three-week layoff. Across his six starts leading up to the Olympic break, he went 3-1-2 with a 2.14 GAA and .922 save percentage.

Korpisalo will start Thursday's home game against the Blue Jackets, Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe reports.

The Bruins want to give Jeremy Swayman a few more days to rest after participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics, so Korpisalo will draw the start Thursday while Michael DiPietro dresses as the backup. Across his seven appearances leading up to the Olympic break, Korpisalo went 4-0-2 with a 2.20 GAA and .918 save percentage.