NHL Player News

Vejmelka will protect the home goal in Game 3 on Friday versus the Golden Knights, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

Vejmelka helped the Mammoth tie the series in Game 2, stopping19 of 21 shots. He's given up five goals on 51 shots over the first two contests of the playoffs. As long as he can keep things close, Vejmelka is likely to get the vast majority of the starts in goal after leading the NHL in appearances in the regular season with 64.

Dobes will protect the home goal versus the Lightning on Friday in Game 3, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Dobes has claimed the No. 1 job for the Canadiens to begin the postseason. He helped them earn a split over the first two games of the series, stopping 51 of 57 shots in those games. Dobes will now try to feed off the energy of the home crowd in Montreal for the next couple of contests.

Vasilevskiy will protect the road goal in Game 3 versus the Canadiens, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Vasilevskiy has split the first two games of the series, allowing six goals on 46 shots. Vasilevskiy could be the difference maker if the series remains closely contested, as he is far more experienced than Montreal netminder Jakub Dobes. However, Vasilevskiy will have to contend with what's likely to be a raucous atmosphere in Montreal over the next two contests.

Hart was the first goalie off the ice during Friday's morning skate, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll draw the Game 3 start on the road against Utah.

Hart will draw a third consecutive start to begin the Golden Knights' first-round series. He's been relatively solid to begin the playoffs, posting a 2.56 GAA and .919 save percentage over his first two starts, but he took the regulation loss in Game 2 on Tuesday after winning Game 1. Tuesday's Game 2 loss snapped Hart's seven-game winning streak that dated back to the start of April, and he'll attempt to return to the win column Friday.

Vladar (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision in Game 4 versus Pittsburgh on Saturday, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports.

Vladar has not practiced the last two days after stopping 27 shots in a 5-2 win over Pittsburgh on Wednesday, giving Philadelphia a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Vladar has been outstanding in the series, posting a 1.33 GAA and a .946 save percentage. He was 29-14-7 with a 2.42 GAA and a .906 save percentage across 52 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. Should Vladar sit out Saturday, look for Samuel Ersson to get the start in goal.

Swayman stopped 27 of 29 shots Thursday during the Bruins' 3-1 loss to the Sabres in Game 3 of their first-round series. Buffalo's final goal was scored into an empty net.

Boston grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the second period, but Swayman couldn't make it stick as his offensive support dried up. The 27-year-old netminder has given up seven goals on 101 shots (.931 save percentage) through the first three games of the season but has just one win to show for it. Swayman and the Bruins will look to even things up again in Game 4 on Sunday.

Lyon made 24 saves Thursday during the Sabres' 3-1 win over the Bruins in Game 3 of their first-round series.

A Tanner Jeannot tally early in the second period spoiled his shutout bid, but Lyon still delivered a strong performance in his first start of the postseason, including a denial on a Viktor Arvidsson penalty shot while the Sabres were still down 1-0. The 33-year-old netminder appears to be coach Lindy Ruff's top choice between the pipes after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen gave up seven goals on 40 shots (.825 save percentage) over the first two games of the series, positioning Lyon to get the nod again in Game 4 on Sunday.

Forsberg allowed three goals on 22 shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Avalanche in Game 3. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.

Forsberg has allowed seven goals on 90 shots over three playoff contests, but he is 0-3, leaving the Kings on the brink of elimination. The 33-year-old was always going to have a tough time taking on the top team in the league, but he's put in a good effort to keep games competitive in the first round. Game 4 is set for Sunday in Los Angeles.

Wedgewood stopped 24 of 26 shots in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Kings in Game 3.

Wedgewood allowed multiple goals for the first time over eight outings in April, but he still played well enough to win. He's now won seven straight games, including all three playoff contests in the first round to put the Avalanche a win away from advancing to the second round. At this point, Wedgewood looks locked into the starting role, so expect to see him between the pipes for Sunday's Game 4 in Los Angeles.

Ullmark made 25 saves in a 2-1 loss to Carolina in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Thursday.

Ullmark continues to do his part, but he needs his teammates to score. The Senators went 0-for-5 on the power play, putting up just four shots. They couldn't beat Frederik Andersen on a 5-on-3 opportunity for 1:28 in the second period. Ullmark remains winless this postseason, but he has looked every part the star he was in Boston. His 2.02 GAA and .933 save percentage showcase his talent. Game 4 is Saturday, and Ullmark will need to be stellar if the Senators are to extend this past four games, as the Hurricanes are up 3-0.