NHL Player News

Merilainen turned aside 15 of 16 shots after replacing Kevin Lankinen to begin the third period of Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

It's already the second time this season that Lankinen has gotten an early hook, and Merilainen has looked sharp in a low-pressure relief situation. While Lankinen has faced the tougher assignments, the difference in their numbers so far couldn't be more stark -- Merilainen has won his only start while producing a 1.62 GAA and .941 save percentage in five periods of action, while Lankinen is 1-3-0 with a hideous 7.06 GAA and .786 save percentage. The Canucks play back-to-back games this weekend on the road against the Devils and Rangers as they continue an east coast swing, and if Merilainen outplays Lankinen once again, he could make a quick push to the top of the depth chart.

Lankinen gave up six goals on 18 shots before being replaced by Leevi Merilainen to begin the third period of Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

It's the second time in four starts to begin the season that Lankinen has gotten the hook, and the third time he's coughed up at least five goals. The 31-year-old netminder's dreadful 7.06 GAA and .786 save percentage can't even be blamed on the defense in front of him, as Merilainen has a 1.62 GAA and .941 save percentage in his start and two relief appearances. Lankinen's hold on the No. 1 job in the Vancouver crease may not last much longer if he can't regain some confidence quickly.

Ullmark stopped 28 shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Flyers.

A Matvei Michkov power-play tally in the second period ruined his shutout bid, but otherwise Ullmark looked sharp. The veteran netminder was shaken up in his prior outing Monday and exited early after a collision in the crease, but he appears as though he's none the worse for wear. Ullmark could find himself right back between the pipes for Saturday's home game against the Predators, especially given his 3-0-0 record, 1.13 GAA and .956 save percentage to start the season.

Woll made 24 saves in Thursday's 2-1 loss to Ottawa.

A Carter Yakemchuk one-timer through traffic on a Senators power play in the third period proved to be the difference. The Flyers remain winless on the season, but Woll has done everything he can to keep the team in the games he's started, going 0-1-2 with a 2.61 GAA and .927 save percentage. In his three outings, however, Philly's only managed to score five total goals.

Bobrovsky stopped 40 of 43 shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Golden Knights.

Toronto jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, but Vegas got it all back in the second. The 38-year-old Bobrovsky continued to weather pressure after Jack Eichel's penalty shot tied the game, but he was able to salvage a standings point for the Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky is still searching for his first win for Toronto -- he's gone 0-2-1 with nine goals allowed on 96 shots across three games. He's also split time with Anthony Stolarz so far. It's unclear if that pattern will continue with a pair of challenging matchups left on this road, as the Maple Leafs visit the Avalanche on Saturday and the Mammoth on Tuesday.

Vejmelka made 11 saves in relief Thursday in a 6-1 loss to Boston. He allowed three goals.

Sebastian Cossa was pounded by pucks to start the game, and he allowed three goals on eight shots in the first period before being pulled. Neither goalie got any support from his teammates. Cossa has just three NHL starts so far, so he'll likely get 20-25 starts. Vejmelka will have to carry a heavy load as the kid develops. He's coming off a 38-win season, but his ratios were 2.75 GAA and .897 save percentage. So far, Vejmelka is 2-1-0 with one shutout, 2.43 GAA and .892 save percentage in three starts this season.

Cossa allowed three goals on eight shots before being replaced in the first period of a 6-1 loss to Boston on Thursday.

Boston rang up those three goals in a 5:45 span, culminating with Mason Lohrei's quick snipe stick side at 15:51. He had delivered an outstanding performance against Columbus in a win Saturday night, but Boston plays an entirely different level. Cossa will get another chance soon, but his matchup will matter. This was his third NHL start of his career, so his development will take priority. Cossa may get 20-25 starts this season.

Hill stopped 21 of 24 shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over the Maple Leafs.

Hill gave up three goals in the first 8:37 of the game. The Golden Knights answered back in the second period to tie the game, and Hill was locked in as the game went to overtime. He also turned aside four of five shootout attempts. The 30-year-old netminder has allowed five goals on 44 shots over his two outings this season, but he's come away with a pair of wins. It's too soon to tell if he'll work primarily as a true backup or in a more even timeshare with Carter Hart, and a lot could depend on both goalies' performance. The Golden Knights are set to host the Kings on Saturday. At the worst, Hill should see a start during a road back-to-back next week with stops in Minnesota on Monday and Nashville on Tuesday.

Cooley stopped 23 of 30 shots in Thursday's 7-3 loss to the Avalanche.

Cooley did well to limit the damage to one goal in the first period, but the Avalanche's offense didn't back down after that. Given the quality of the teams involved, this outing went about as expected for Cooley. He's now allowed 10 goals on 55 shots over his two games this season. The 29-year-old will likely have a tough time accumulating wins since the Flames getting caved in all over the ice to begin the year. If the team continues to alternate starts between the goalies, Dustin Wolf would start at home Saturday versus the Ducks before Cooley gets the rematch in Anaheim on Tuesday.

Swayman made 36 saves in a 6-1 win over Utah on Thursday.

Swayman is now 3-1-0 with one shutout, a 1.98 GAA and .932 save percentage in four starts this season. His three wins tie him for first in the NHL. Swayman is off to an outstanding start to the season. It may be hard to sustain these ratios, but he'll be a top-10 fantasy netminder all year.