NHL Player News

Vladar is expected to defend the home cage versus Toronto on Thursday, Siobhan Nolan of The Hockey News reports.

Vladar has won his last three games, giving the 28-year-old a 16-6-3 record with a 2.37 GAA and a .910 save percentage over 25 games this season. He has a firm grip on the No. 1 job in Philadelphia, pushing Samuel Ersson to a backup role. The Maple Leafs rank fifth in the NHL this season with 3.36 goals per game.

Fowler made 28 saves in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Flames.

Joel Farabee spoiled Fowler's shutout bid late in the second period by sneaking a shot through a screen, but otherwise, the goaltender had an answer for everything Calgary fired his way. The 21-year-old Fowler has allowed two goals or fewer in four of his last five starts, going 3-1-1 with a dazzling 1.80 GAA and .930 save percentage over that stretch as he pushes for the top spot in the Habs' current three-man committee in the crease -- Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes have made just two starts each during that time.

Wolf turned aside 31 shots in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Canadiens.

After a scoreless first period, Montreal broke through on home ice with three goals in just over five minutes before the midway mark of the second. Wolf's road struggles continue -- back in Calgary, he's gone 10-6-2 with a 2.17 GAA and .925 save percentage, while away from home the 24-year-old netminder is 4-11-0 with a 3.97 GAA and .867 save percentage.

Thompson stopped 32 of 35 shots in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Stars, with Dallas' final goal getting scored into an empty net.

The Capitals didn't even get onto the board until the third period, and their defense was just as flat as their offense, as two of the shots that got past Thompson came from right on his doorstep. The 28-year-old netminder has gone four straight starts without getting into the win column, and since a shutout of the Leafs on Dec. 18, Thompson has stumbled to a 1-5-1 record with a 3.71 GAA and .885 save percentage.

DeSmith made 23 saves in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Capitals.

The veteran netminder took a shutout into the third period, only for Alex Ovechkin to spoil it with less than three minutes left. DeSmith's sharp performance ended a six-game losing streak for Dallas, and over eight outings since the beginning of December he's gone 4-1-2 with a 2.65 GAA and .911 save percentage.

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.