NHL Player News

Montembeault sustained an undisclosed injury during Wednesday's practice, per Canadiens beat reporter Priyanta Emrith.

Montembeault left the skate as a result of the injury. There wasn't an immediate update, but he is being evaluated. If Montembeault isn't an option for Thursday's home game against Nashville, then the Canadiens will need to call up a goaltender. Jakub Dobes might get the start regardless of Montembeault's availability, but Dobes chances of getting the assignment naturally increase if Montembeault is injured.

Blackwood is set to start on the road against Winnipeg on Wednesday, per Conor McGahey of Altitude TV.

Blackwood won the Avalanche's opening two games while stopping a combined 52 of 57 shots (.912 save percentage). While Blackwood is set to start in three straight games, the Avalanche will also play in Calgary on Thursday, so Scott Wedgewood will likely start in the second half of the back-to-back. Winnipeg is 2-0-1 while averaging 3.00 goals per game to open the campaign.

Sorokin was the first goalie off at Wednesday's optional practice, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports, indicating that he's slated to start Thursday's home game against the Blackhawks.

Sorokin is set to start for the third time in the Islanders' first four regular-season games. Across his first two starts of the year, he went 1-1-0 with a 1.02 GAA and .968 save percentage.

Silovs is set to start on the road against Washington on Wednesday, per Josh Yohe of The Athletic.

Silovs posted a 19-save shutout win against Philadelphia in Pittsburgh's season opener last Wednesday. He followed that up by turning aside 20 of 25 shots en route to a 6-5 overtime victory over Montreal on Saturday. Washington has gone 1-1-0 while averaging 3.00 goals per game across that span.

Gibson made 22 saves in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Senators.

The veteran netminder wasn't exactly in top form, but the Red Wings offense gave him plenty of support as Dylan Larkin returned to action. Gibson has started every game for Detroit to begin the season, going 1-2-0 in three starts despite a 2.39 GAA and .903 save percentage. He should get his first night off this weekend, as the Wings play a back-to-back set at home Friday against the Kraken, and on the road Saturday against the Canadiens.

Thompson will get the starting nod at home against the Penguins on Wednesday, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Thompson has made just one appearance so far this season because the Capitals started the campaign off with a back-to-back. The 29-year-old netminder was solid in that outing against the Hurricanes, stopping 31 of 33 shots (.939 save percentage) in a winning effort. After two consecutive seasons in which Thompson recorded 31 wins, he should be primed to top that number in 2026-27, especially with the two extra games.

Ersson turned aside 31 of 35 shots in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Red Wings, with Detroit's final goal getting scored into an empty net.

Making his first start of the season, Ersson's misplay on a bouncing puck early in the first period led directly to an Alex DeBrincat tally and sparked a four-goal surge for the home side that put the game out of reach. With Linus Ullmark (undisclosed) banged up, Ersson could be in line for more work than expected in the short term, but he'll need better performances than this to hang onto his spot as Ottawa's No. 2 netminder. Ullmark's availability will determine which of them is between the pipes Thursday in a home clash with the Flyers.

Dobes stopped 28 of 33 shots in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Hurricanes, with Carolina's final goal getting scored into an empty net.

Montreal got out-shot 34-20 on the night, and none of the pucks that got past Dobes came from long distance as his defense gave up plenty of high-danger chances. It was the first regulation loss of the season for the 25-year-old netminder, who's gone 1-1-1 in three starts with a rough 4.43 GAA, allowing 13 goals on 91 shots. His ratios should improve, but the Habs will need to tighten up their play in their own zone for Dobes to post numbers similar to his 2025-26 performance (2.78 GAA, .901 save percentage).

Bussi made 16 saves in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Canadiens.

Montreal built a 3-2 lead in a wild first period, but Bussi settled down the rest of the way while Carolina's offense kept rolling. It was the first win in three starts this season for the 28-year-old netminder, who has a somewhat shaky 3.24 GAA in the early going while giving up 10 goals on 67 shots. Bussi is still the clear No. 1 between the pipes for the defending Stanley Cup champs, but Pyotr Kochetkov could get the nod at home Thursday against the Canucks.

Saros made 32 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to Toronto on Tuesday.

The Preds staked him a 3-0 lead and then the team allowed the Leafs to claw its way back for the home win. The 31-year-old Saros is hoping to rebound after two difficult seasons where he went 48-53-14 and delivered below league-average GAA and save percentages. The Preds are in a retool right now, and oddmakers have the team finishing outside the playoffs. Saros has enough talent to change that by himself, but the demons of his last two seasons will need to be exorcised first.