NHL Player News

Kuemper allowed four goals on 28 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Sharks.

Kuemper had a 3-2 lead to protect over the last 2:10 of regulation but couldn't get the job done. Macklin Celebrini tied the game with 1:07 left in the third period, and he set up William Eklund's overtime tally to send Kuemper to his second loss in four outings since returning from an upper-body injury. The 35-year-old netminder has allowed four goals in three of those games. He's at a 12-7-7 record with a 2.38 GAA and a .910 save percentage over 27 starts. The Kings are set for a two-game road trip next, visiting the Jets on Friday and the Oilers on Saturday. Kuemper's recent play makes him a risky fantasy option, but he's playable against the slumping Jets if he starts the first half of the back-to-back.

Askarov stopped 23 of 26 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

Askarov won his fourth straight decision and bounced back from his poor outing versus the Lightning on Saturday. The 23-year-old needed this win since Alex Nedeljkovic played well Tuesday against the Blue Jackets. Askarov is up to 16-10-1 with a 3.44 GAA and an .895 save percentage over 28 starts this season. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky hasn't hesitated to let Askarov play through slumps at times, and getting a stretch of wins despite lackluster performances should help the Russian netminder hold onto the No. 1 job.

Binnington stopped 28 of 35 shots in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Blackhawks.

Binnington earned a shutout in his previous outing, but he reverted to his previous poor play in this start. Wednesday's showing marked the third time in his last six appearances that he's given up at least six goals. The 32-year-old is now at an 8-11-6 record with a 3.55 GAA and an .871 save percentage over 26 games. Binnington likely won't have to wait long for his next start, as the Blues visit the Mammoth on Friday before closing out their road trip against the Golden Knights on Saturday. That back-to-back should allow both Binnington and Joel Hofer to get a start.

Knight stopped 27 of 30 shots in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Blues.

Knight picked up his third win in a row and extended the Blackhawks' winning streak to four games. The 24-year-old netminder didn't have to be great since the offense took care of business, highlighted by a four-goal second period. Knight is up to 13-11-6 with a 2.62 GAA and a .910 save percentage through 30 starts this season. He'll likely split the next two games with Arvid Soderblom, as the Blackhawks host the Capitals on Friday before visiting the Predators on Saturday.

Merilainen stopped 18 of 21 shots in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Mammoth.

Merilainen has allowed at least three goals in four of his last six outings. It's tough to blame him too much for this loss, but he dug the Senators an early hole that the offense couldn't get out of. The 23-year-old netminder is 6-8-0 with a 3.47 GAA and an .868 save percentage over 15 appearances this season. The Senators' next game is Thursday versus the Avalanche, which will be a brutally tough matchup for either of Merilainen or Mads Sogaard.

Vejmelka stopped 32 of 33 shots in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Senators.

Vejmelka limited the damage to a Ridly Greig tally late in the first period. He has three wins in his last four outings, a span in which he's given up nine goals on 109 shots. The 29-year-old is now leading the NHL in wins with 19, one ahead of Colorado's Scott Wedgewood, though Vejmelka has played in six more games. The Utah netminder has added a 2.65 GAA and an .897 save percentage over 33 appearances. The Mammoth are back in action Friday versus the Blues.

Merilainen will guard the road goal versus the Mammoth on Wednesday, per the NHL media site.

Merilainen was pulled from his outing Monday versus the Red Wings after giving up three goals on nine shots. He's gone 2-2-0 with 14 goals allowed on 101 shots over his last five starts. This is the first half of a back-to-back that concludes Thursday in Colorado, but it's unclear who between Merilainen or Mads Sogaard will get the nod against the Avalanche.

Askarov will protect the road goal versus the Kings on Wednesday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Askarov got pulled from his last outing after giving up three goals on 10 shots versus the Lightning on Saturday. He'll now handle the second half of a back-to-back after Alex Nedeljkovic earned a win Tuesday over the Blue Jackets. The Kings have scored 21 goals over their last six games.

Cooley (illness) will serve as the backup netminder for Wednesday's game versus the Canadiens, Ryan Pike of Flames Nation reports.

Cooley is not listed among the scratches Wednesday, and he will return after a one-game absence. He could be in line to start for Thursday's game in Boston after Dustin Wolf tends the twine in Montreal on Wednesday.

Mrazek was placed on injured reserve Wednesday due to a lower-body injury.

With Mrazek having already missed Tuesday's clash with the Flyers, he will only need to be out of action for two more games due to his placement on IR. Having said that, the Ducks haven't provided a specific update regarding his timeline; it could certainly be longer. While Lukas Dostal will continue to serve as the No. 1 option in Anaheim, Ville Husso was added to the NHL roster to serve as the backup while Mrazek is unavailable.