NHL Player News

Merilainen is slated to start on the road versus the Rangers on Wednesday, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

Merilainen will start back-to-back games, but James Reimer is set to back him up in this one after Hunter Shepard was reassigned to AHL Belleville earlier in the day. Merilainen stopped 19 of 20 shots in Tuesday's win over the Canucks, but he received an early hook the last time he started consecutive days, which was versus the Avalanche on Jan. 8.

Kuemper was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, John Hoven of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio reports, indicating he'll be between the pipes at home versus Vegas on Wednesday.

Kuemper has lost three straight outings, going 0-2-1 with a 4.08 GAA and an .820 save percentage. Since returning from an upper-body issue, the veteran netminder has conceded four or more goals in four of his six appearances. If Kuemper continues to struggle, the Kings may need to consider giving Anton Forsberg some extra work to hold on to a playoff spot.

Blackwood (lower body) was activated off injured reserve Wednesday.

The Avalanche assigned Trent Miner to AHL Colorado in a corresponding move. Blackwood will rejoin the Avalanche ahead of Friday's contest against Nashville. Blackwood missed six games due to a lower-body injury, and he'll look to continue his elite season following his absence. He has a 13-1-1 record, a 2.07 GAA and a .924 save percentage through 15 outings this season.

Miner was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Wednesday.

Miner has a 1-0-3 record, 2.03 GAA and .923 save percentage in four appearances with the Avalanche in 2025-26. His reassignment corresponds with Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body) being activated off injured reserve. Miner is likely to remain in the minors for the remainder of the regular season unless the Avalanche once again need a goaltender due to Blackwood or Scott Wedgewood being unavailable.

Vladar will start Wednesday's road game against Buffalo, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Vladar has posted an 0-1-1 record over his last two starts, but he carried a three-game winning streak prior to that stretch. Overall, he's gone 3-1-1 with a 2.60 GAA and an .897 save percentage across his past five outings. Buffalo has scored 3.18 goals per game this year, which ranks 12th in the NHL.

Shepard was loaned to AHL Belleville on Wednesday, Julian McKenzie of The Athletic reports.

After serving as Leevi Merilainen's backup for two games, Shepard will head back to the AHL to make room for James Reimer, who signed a one-year deal with Ottawa on Monday. In 12 appearances with Belleville this season, Shepard has a 5-6-1 record with a 3.41 GAA and an .897 save percentage. His stats at both levels make him a tough option to trust in fantasy if he receives another call-up to the NHL later this year.

Hofer turned aside all 33 shots he faced in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Carolina.

It was the fourth shutout of the season for Hofer, tying him with Ilya Sorokin and Jesper Wallstedt for the league lead. Hofer has two of those shutouts in his last seven starts. He has been solidifying his hold on the top spot in the St. Louis crease, going 5-2-0 over that seven-outing stretch with a 2.02 GAA and a .930 save percentage.

Bussi stopped 28 shots in Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Blues.

All three goals against the 27-year-old netminder came in the second period. Bussi was beaten high glove side during a Carolina power play and a penalty kill. It's only his second regulation loss since late October. Over 16 starts since the beginning of November, Bussi's gone 13-2-1 with a 2.33 GAA and an .898 save percentage.

Swayman made 24 saves in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Detroit.

The shutout was the first of the season for Swayman. The 27-year-old netminder has found a groove since Christmas, allowing two goals or fewer in five of his last six starts. He is 4-1-1 over that stretch with a 2.31 GAA and a .917 save percentage.

Talbot turned aside 38 of 40 shots in Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Bruins, with Boston's final goal getting scored into an empty net.

Talbot didn't have much chance on either of the pucks that got past him, and the Red Wings left their offense on the plane in Boston. It was the veteran netminder's first regulation loss since Dec. 17, and he has gone 2-1-1 in his last four outings. On the season, Talbot is 11-7-3 in 22 appearances with a 2.95 GAA and an .892 save percentage.