NHL Player News

Rittich is slated to start Thursday's road game against Carolina, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

While Rittich has served as the Islanders' No. 2 netminder early in the season, he's been effective in limited action, going 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .940 save percentage over two starts. He'll face a tough road test Thursday, as the Hurricanes are averaging 3.75 goals per game to begin the season, which is tied for the second-best mark in the NHL.

Sorokin will be between the pipes on the road versus Boston on Tuesday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Sorokin is undefeated in regulation over his last three outings, going 2-0-1 despite a 3.25 GAA in that span. It's a strong turnaround for the 30-year-old Russian after he lost his first three games of the year. With a back-to-back coming up, David Rittich will get the nod on the road versus Carolina on Thursday before Sorokin is expected back in the crease for Friday's road game against the Capitals.

Hofer is expected to defend the road net against Pittsburgh on Monday, according to Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic.

Hofer has surrendered 10 goals on 28 shots in his last two outings, and he didn't play the entire game in either appearance. He has a 1-1-0 record across three games this season. Pittsburgh ranks seventh in the league with 3.56 goals per game this campaign.

Jarry will get the starting nod at home against the Blues on Monday, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Jarry has been splitting the workload with Arturs Silovs to start the season, and that trend will continue with Monday's matchup, with Silovs likely to start on the road versus the Flyers on Tuesday. In his four appearances this year, the 30-year-old Jarry has been in peak form, sporting a 3-1-0 record, 2.52 GAA and one shutout.

Annunen stopped 24 of 27 shots in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Stars.

Annunen was making his second start of the season -- and first since allowing five goals in a 7-4 loss to the Maple Leafs on Oct. 14 -- but settled for another loss. Firmly entrenched as Juuse Saros' backup, Annunen shouldn't have a lot of fantasy upside as a backup who's allowed eight goals on 53 shots faced through two contests in 2025-26.

Woll (personal) participated in Monday's practice, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.

According to Alter, Woll has been skating every other day for the past few weeks. The 27-year-old Woll could head to the minors for a conditioning stint with AHL Toronto in the near future. He hasn't been in the crease yet this season and needs more time to return to game speed. Once he's ready to play, Woll will probably share starts with Anthony Stolarz.

DeSmith stopped 23 of 25 shots in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Predators.

DeSmith started for the first time since Oct. 16, when he allowed five goals on 26 shots in a 5-3 loss to the Canucks, but he limited the damage to only two goals in this one. The offense backed him up enough to allow the 34-year-old veteran to earn his first win of the season. As a low-usage backup behind Jake Oettinger, DeSmith isn't expected to carry a lot of fantasy upside in the near future, though most of his starts should come in favorable matchups.

Wallstedt stopped 19 of 25 shots in Sunday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Sharks.

Wallstedt was beaten twice in the first period, twice more in the second frame, again in the final period and once more in overtime. Wallstedt is firmly entrenched as Filip Gustavsson's backup, and his performances haven't shown he's ready to embrace a bigger role between the pipes any time soon. Through three starts, Wallstedt has gone 1-0-2 with a 3.46 GAA and an .863 save percentage.

Askarov stopped 28 of 33 shots in Sunday's 6-5 overtime win over the Wild.

Askarov allowed five or more goals for the third time across five starts this season. The 23-year-old netminder, who started consecutive games for the first time Friday and Sunday, might return to the bench ahead of Tuesday's game against the Kings since the Sharks have been rotating netminders regularly so far this season. Askarov hasn't inspired a ton of confidence between the pipes, either -- he's gone 1-3-1 with a 4.80 GAA and an .855 save percentage in his five starts so far.

Merilainen is expected to patrol the home crease against Boston on Monday, according to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.

Merilainen surrendered seven goals on 26 shots in an 8-4 blowout loss to Buffalo on Oct. 15 before heading to the minors for a brief stint. He made 23 saves in a 6-5 shootout win over Boston on Jan. 18 last season. The Bruins rank 15th in the league with 3.20 goals per game this campaign.