NHL Player News

Cooley will be in goal at home versus Edmonton on Wednesday, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports

Cooley has a three-game losing streak despite posting a decent 2.34 GAA over that stretch. While the backstop's ratios have been solid this season -- a 2.22 GAA and .921 save percentage in 18 outings -- he's not getting enough work to make him a strong fantasy candidate outside of some spot starts.

Askarov will tend the twine for Wednesday's road game against Colorado, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Askarov has largely struggled over the past few weeks, going 1-4-1 with a 4.04 GAA and .844 save percentage over his last six starts. He was pulled from Monday's loss to Chicago midway through the second period but will return to the crease Wednesday for the Sharks' final game before the Olympic break. The Avalanche lead the league with 3.83 goals per game this season.

Vejmelka was the first goalie off the ice ahead of Wednesday's home clash with Detroit, indicating he'll be in goal, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Vejmelka continues to see a heavy workload, currently sitting tied with Nashville's Juuse Saros for starts (43) this season. In those outings, the 29-year-old Vejmelka is 26-14-2 with a 2.61 GAA, a .900 save percentage and one shutout. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Vejmelka won't be able to sit on his couch during the Olympic break, as he will join Team Czechia for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Wallstedt (illness) is not with the team ahead of Wednesday's road matchup with Nashville, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Wallstedt will have some extra time to return to full health before joining Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Tre Kronor could use fellow Wild netminder Filip Gustavsson against Italy next Wednesday. However, Wallstedt has put himself in a good position to see minutes at some point during the tournament.

Gustavsson will patrol the crease on the road against Nashville on Wednesday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Gustavsson is undefeated in regulation over his last eight outings, posting a 5-0-2 record, 2.94 GAA and .894 save percentage. With his decent run of games of late, the backstop has a decent chance of being named the starter for Sweden ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Blackwood is slated to start Wednesday's home game against the Sharks, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Blackwood has alternated wins and losses over his last five starts, going 2-3-0 with a 2.26 GAA and .912 save percentage during that time. However, he's coming off a pair of dominant starts against the Red Wings in which he allowed just one goal on 52 shots (.981 save percentage) despite his 1-1-0 record. Blackwood made a pair of starts against the Sharks in November, including one at home and one on the road, and he went 1-0-1 with a 1.48 GAA and .939 save percentage.

Oettinger will defend the cage at home against the Blues on Wednesday, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Oettinger is riding a five-game winning streak despite sporting a 2.74 GAA and .877 save percentage. Still, the wins are what matter, and that could be enough to secure Oettinger the starting role for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics ahead of Connor Hellebuyck and Jeremy Swayman.

Vladar stopped 26 of 28 shots in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Capitals.

Since returning from a lower-body injury last Wednesday, Vladar posted a save percentage of at least .900 and won for the first time. Despite his 2.74 GAA and .885 save percentage since the beginning of January, the 28-year-old netminder should see the bulk of the starts down the stretch for the Flyers.

Stevenson stopped 18 of 21 shots in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Flyers. The fourth goal was an empty-netter in the final seconds of the game.

Stevenson has started each of the Capitals' last three games due to the absences of Logan Thompson (upper body) and Charlie Lindgren (lower body). Stevenson stopped 48 of 52 shots in his previous two starts, so he was due to return to earth sooner than later. If Thompson can't play in Thursday's home matchup against Nashville, Stevenson could make another start.

Montembeault will tend the twine on the road against Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Montembeault has watched from the bench for the last four outings, as Jakub Dobes featured in each of those contests. The 29-year-old Montembeault has allowed three or more goals in five of his past six outings, going 3-2-1 with an .880 save percentage during that span.