NHL Player News

Ellis is day-to-day due to tightness in his back, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports Saturday.

Ellis was originally expected to start in Saturday's road game against Toronto, but he missed that assignment due to his injury. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got the nod instead and stopped 18 of 22 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss. Even if Ellis ends up being an option for Tuesday's home game against Columbus, it's not clear if he'll play between the pipes. In addition to Ellis and Luukkonen, Buffalo also has goaltender Alex Lyon on the roster, so there's plenty of competition for starts.

Sorokin made 23 saves in a 4-3 shootout loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.

Sorokin is 2-3-1 with a 3.70 GAA and an .875 save percentage on the season. He gave up four goals in each of his first four games and has surrendered three in each of his last two. Sorokin is one of the league's most talented netminders, but his supporting cast makes statistical excellence a tough call.

Ersson made 23 saves in a 4-3 shootout win over the Islanders on Saturday.

Ersson earned his first win of the season to improve to 1-1-1. Simon Holmstrom beat him in the first while shorthanded, and Anthony Duclair tapped in a pass early in the second to drive the Isles up 2-0. Maxim Tsyplakov redirected a pass behind him early in the third. Holmstrom beat him again in the shootout. Ersson's 3.50 GAA should come down, and his .861 save percentage should go up, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect dramatic improvements based on his previous three seasons.

Bussi is expected to guard the road crease against Dallas on Saturday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Bussi has a 2-0-0 record, 1.97 GAA and .911 save percentage in two appearances in 2025-26. That success has earned him another start after Frederik Andersen allowed at least three goals in four of his five outings this year. Dallas is a strong adversary, but the Stars are off to a mediocre start, posting a 3-3-1 record while averaging 3.00 goals per game.

Saros is expected to start at home against the Kings on Saturday, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.

Saros has a 3-2-2 record, 2.53 GAA and .911 save percentage in seven appearances with the Predators in 2025-26. He turned aside 21 of 22 shots en route to a 2-1 win over Vancouver in his last start Thursday. The Kings are 3-3-2 and tied for 25th in goals per game with 2.63.

Dobes is slated to guard the road crease against Vancouver on Saturday.

Dobes will be looking to extend his season-opening winning streak to five games. He's posted a 1.47 GAA and a .950 save percentage across his four victories. Vancouver is 4-4-0 and is tied for 25th in goals per game with 2.63.

Lindbom is expected to start on the road against Tampa Bay on Sunday, per Jesse Granger of The Athletic on Saturday.

Adin Hill (lower body) is unavailable, and Akira Schmid got the road start against Florida on Saturday, so it makes sense that Lindbom is on track to make his first NHL start Sunday. The 22-year-old Lindbom has a 1.00 GAA and a .958 save percentage in two appearances with AHL Henderson. He also posted a 2.65 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 36 regular-season outings with Henderson in 2024-25.

Vejmelka will start Saturday's road game against Minnesota.

Vejmelka has stopped 104 of the 117 shots he has faced during his five-game winning streak. He is coming off a 16-save effort in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Blues. Minnesota ranks 28th in the league with 2.50 goals per game this season.

Schmid is expected to start on the road against Florida on Saturday, per David Dwork of The Hockey News.

Schmid has won his first four outings of the season while stopping 80 of 89 shots (.899 save percentage). Meanwhile, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions have struggled lately. Florida has dropped five of its past six games while averaging just 1.83 goals per game over that span. The Panthers are still a dangerous team, but this might be as good a time as any to face them.

Kuemper was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports, indicating he will defend the road net against Nashville on Saturday.

Kuemper is coming off a 29-save performance in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over Dallas. He has a 2-2-1 record this season while stopping 112 of 125 shots. Nashville sits 30th in the league with 2.38 goals per game this campaign.