NHL Player News

Luukkonen is slated to start Wednesday in Pittsburgh, per Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.

Luukkonen has won back-to-back games for the first time this season, stopping 49 of 53 shots (.925 save percentage) in victories over Chicago and Carolina on Friday and Sunday, respectively. The Finnish goaltender is 3-2-1 with a 2.67 GAA and an .897 save percentage across six appearances this season. After starting the year on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury, Luukkonen seems to be closing in on being the team's clear-cut No. 1 option, as Colten Ellis and Alex Lyon have received their share of starts in 2025-26.

Vejmelka allowed one goal on 34 shots in Monday's 5-1 win over the Golden Knights.

Vejmelka picked up his second win in a row and avenged his 4-1 loss to Vegas from Thursday. He was sharp between the pipes, and a four-goal game from Logan Cooley was more than enough help. Vejmelka improved to 10-5-2 on the year with a 2.76 GAA and an .889 save percentage in 17 outings. He's mostly faced light workloads, facing 27 shots or less in 13 of those games, but he's 3-1-0 with a 2.50 GAA and a .926 save percentage over four contests in which he's seen 30-plus shots. The Mammoth host the Canadiens on Wednesday before heading out on a six-game road trip, a stretch that could prove challenging since Vejmelka has a 3.11 GAA and an .872 save percentage in eight games away from the Delta Center.

Annunen stopped seven of 10 shots in relief of Juuse Saros in Monday's 8-3 loss to the Panthers.

Annunen hasn't started in the Predators' last five games, but he has made a pair of relief appearances, allowing four goals on 16 shots. While Saros hasn't played well this season, Annunen hasn't done nearly enough to push for a larger share of playing time himself, posting a 4.07 GAA and an .828 save percentage while going 0-3-1 over six outings. Annunen should get a chance to make a start later this week, as the Predators visit the Blackhawks on Friday and host the Jets on Saturday in a back-to-back set.

Saros allowed five goals on 16 shots before he was replaced by Justus Annunen in Monday's 8-3 loss to the Panthers.

The game started badly for Saros, as A.J. Greer scored just 11 seconds in as part of the Panthers' four-goal first period. Gustav Forsling's tally early in the second chased Saros, who has now allowed at least five goals in three of his eight outings in November, going 2-5-1 for the month. He's at a 6-9-3 record, 3.08 GAA and .889 save percentage across 18 appearances this season. The Predators' next game is Wednesday in Detroit.

Jarry (lower body) could be in the lineup against the Sabres on Wednesday after head coach Dan Muse told reporters, "I would expect that he would be available for us tomorrow," Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Jarry's return to the lineup doesn't necessarily mean he'll get the starting nod, especially with both Arturs Silovs and Sergei Murashov still on the lineup -- though Murashov could be sent back to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in order to activate Jarry off injured reserve. Prior to his injury absence, Jarry was putting together a strong start to the year, going 5-2-0 with a 2.60 GAA and one shutout.

Tarasov stopped 36 of 39 shots in Monday's 8-3 win over the Predators.

Tarasov was good enough as the Panthers' offense took advantage of a favorable matchup Monday. He's now 2-1-0 with eight goals allowed on 113 shots (.929 save percentage) through four outings in November. Overall, Tarasov has a 2-3-1 record with a 2.45 GAA and a .913 save percentage in seven contests this season. Sergei Bobrovsky is still in line for a majority of the starts, but Tarasov is proving his value in the backup role should he be needed for more work.

Shesterkin stopped 19 of 21 shots in Monday's 3-2 win over the Blues.

After two consecutive losses in his most recent outings, Shesterkin bounced back by allowing just two goals in Monday's contest. With the win, the 29-year-old netminder has an 8-8-1 record with a 2.50 GAA and a .909 save percentage through 18 appearances this season. Shesterkin is on pace for another 25-win campaign, which would be his fifth straight regular season hitting that mark. He possesses both the volume and success needed for a strong goaltender in fantasy, making him a must-roster player regardless of the Rangers' inconsistencies as a team. His next opportunity to defend the crease is Wednesday against the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes.

Hofer stopped 18 of 21 shots in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

Despite a clean first period, Hofer faltered down the stretch and allowed three consecutive goals across an 18-minute span in the second and third periods. With the loss, the 25-year-old netminder has a 2-5-2 record with a 3.82 GAA and an .869 save percentage through 11 appearances this season. Hofer has lost each of his last four starts and has just one win since his opening-night victory. He can't be trusted in fantasy formats until he finds consistency in the win column and is best left on waivers.

Lankinen (personal) won't travel with the Canucks on the team's upcoming four-game trip, which begins against Anaheim on Wednesday.

Lankinen will be away from the team for personal reasons, and it's unclear when he will return. He has posted a 4-7-2 record with a 3.63 GAA and an .880 save percentage through 13 appearances this season. With Thatcher Demko (lower body) also unavailable, the Canucks recalled Jiri Patera from AHL Abbotsford on Tuesday under emergency conditions. Patera and Nikita Tolopilo could compete for starts until Vancouver gets Lankinen or Demko back.

Patera was recalled from AHL Abbotsford under emergency conditions Tuesday.

Kevin Lankinen will not travel with the Canucks for their upcoming four-game road trip due to personal reasons, which resulted in Patera being elevated from the minors. The 26-year-old Patera is now the de facto No. 1 netminder, as Thatcher Demko is currently on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury. At this point, Patera seems likely to get the nod for Wednesday's game in Anaheim. The 2017 sixth-round pick allowed seven goals on 40 shots in a loss to Florida on Nov. 17 in his lone appearances with the big club this season.