NHL Player News

Wallstedt was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports, signaling that he'll draw the home start against the Jets.

Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson have alternated starts over the past month, but Wallstedt will be in the net for a second consecutive game Thursday for the first time since early November. Wallstedt hasn't been particularly sharp over his last four starts, going 1-1-2 with a 3.35 GAA and .886 save percentage. However, he's made a pair of road starts against Winnipeg this year, going 2-0-0 with a 1.53 GAA and .948 save percentage.

Ersson turned aside six of eight shots after replacing Dan Vladar (undisclosed) in the first period Wednesday, taking the loss as the Flyers fell 5-2 to the Sabres.

It was a rough night for Philadelphia's defense overall, and Ersson got stuck with his third straight loss when Jack Quinn's tally early in the second period proved to be the game-winner. The 26-year-old netminder has only one win in his last eight outings, going 1-5-2 with a 3.75 GAA and .840 save percentage over that stretch, but he'll likely take over as the Flyers' No. 1 option in the crease for as long as Vladar is sidelined.

Swayman will guard the home crease versus Seattle on Thursday, Scott McLaughlin of WEEI reports.

Swayman was perfect in his last start Tuesday, turning aside all 24 shots in a 3-0 win over the upstart Red Wings. Swayman is 18-11-2 with a 2.79 GAA and a .904 save percentage over 32 appearances in 2025-26. The Kraken are 25th in NHL scoring this season, generating 2.76 goals per game.

Markstrom stopped 15 shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Kraken.

The veteran netminder wasn't busy, but he made some big saves when necessary, including one on Vince Dunn in overtime that led directly to Nico Hischier's game-winner on the counter-attack. Markstrom has allowed more than three goals in an outing only once since the beginning of December, although it was a nine-goal disaster against the Isles on Jan. 6, and he's won three of his last four starts to push his record on the season to 12-10-1 with a 3.34 GAA and .879 save percentage.

Skinner will be between the home pipes versus the Flyers on Thursday, per Penguins' studio host Dan Potash.

Skinner has played well since his trade from Edmonton in December, going 3-4-0 with a 2.34 GAA and an .899 save percentage. Overall, the 27-year-old netminder is 14-12-4 with a pair of shutouts, a 2.71 GAA and an .893 save percentage across 30 appearances with Pittsburgh and Edmonton. The Flyers are 23rd in NHL scoring, tallying 2.89 goals per game.

Merzlikins will defend the home cage versus Vancouver on Thursday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Merzlikins will make a rare start, as he has played only once since Dec. 22, a span of 11 games, while Jet Greaves has been the undisputed No. 1 goaltender in Columbus of late. Merzlikins is 6-7-1 this season with a 4.03 GAA and an .877 save percentage across 15 appearances. The Canucks are generating 2.63 goals per game, which ranks 27th in the NHL this season.

Grubauer made 23 saves in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to New Jersey.

He nearly bailed the Kraken out after an ill-advised change in overtime sprung Nico Hischier for a breakaway, but Hischier's shot just slid under Grubauer's arm. The veteran netminder has gone seven straight starts without taking a regulation loss, posting a 5-0-2 record during that hot streak with a stellar 1.69 GAA and .946 save percentage as he pushes to take over the No. 1 spot in the Seattle crease.

Nedeljkovic will patrol the visiting crease in Washington on Thursday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Nedeljkovic will attempt to win his third straight game after victories over Dallas and Columbus. He is 7-8-2 with a 3.12 GAA and an .890 save percentage over 20 appearances this season. Nedeljkovic will have a tough matchup, as the Capitals are tied for eighth in NHL scoring, generating 3.26 goals per game.

Kolosov is expected to be recalled from AHL Lehigh Valley ahead of Thursday's game in Pittsburgh, per Kevin Kurz of The Athletic.

The Flyers are in need of a goaltender after Dan Vladar (undisclosed) was injured in the opening period Wednesday versus Buffalo. Kolosov is 0-1-0 in a pair of appearances for the Flyers this season, allowing two goals on 28 shots. Kolosov was 9-9-1 with a 2.54 GAA and a .908 save percentage across 19 AHL contests this season.

Thompson will be between the home pipes versus San Jose on Thursday, according to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.

Thompson has been sharp in his last two games, allowing three goals on 49 shots in victories over Chicago and Montreal. Overall, the netminder is 17-12-4 with a 2.34 GAA and a .916 save percentage. The Sharks are generating 3.13 goals per game, 14th in the NHL.