NHL Player News

Blackwood stopped 21 shots in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Canadiens.

The Avalanche were already ahead 4-0 before Blackwood gave up his first goal, and the Habs never seriously threatened a comeback. The 28-year-old netminder has yet to get tagged with a regulation loss this season since making his belated debut at the beginning of November, going 5-0-1 with a 1.98 GAA and a .925 save percentage while working in a timeshare with Scott Wedgewood.

Vejmelka is expected to start on the road against St. Louis on Saturday, per Lou Korac of NHL.com.

Vejmelka has a 10-6-2 record, 2.84 GAA and .884 save percentage in 18 outings this year. He stopped 13 of 17 shots in a 4-3 loss to Montreal on Wednesday. St. Louis ranks 28th in goals per game with 2.68.

Gustavsson will tend the twine at home versus the Sabres on Saturday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Jesper Wallstedt impressed with a shootout win over the Avalanche on Friday, and Gustavsson will get his turn in the crease to close out the back-to-back. Gustavsson has won three straight starts, allowing just five goals on 81 shots in that span. The Sabres have 22 goals over their last six games, going 3-3-0 during that stretch.

Ellis will protect the road goal versus the Wild on Saturday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Ellis has not played in the last four games since he allowed six goals on 35 shots to the Flames. The Sabres' three-man goalie room continues to make it difficult for any of the team's netminders to carve out a larger role. Ellis will have a tough test against the Wild, who have won seven straight games with three shutout victories in that span.

Dobes made 29 saves in Saturday's 7-2 loss to Colorado.

It was a rough afternoon in the Rockies for the Canadiens, as Dobes saw four pucks get past him before Ivan Demidov even got Montreal on the board midway through the second period. The seven goals allowed were a season worst for the 24-year-old netminder, and after a sizzling 6-0-1 start to the campaign, Dobes is 2-3-1 over his last six outings while giving up 24 goals on 157 shots (.847 save percentage).

Shesterkin made 31 saves in a 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday.

He allowed three goals. Shesterkin was the star of the game for the Rangers, who mustered just 13 shots on the Lightning net in 60 minutes of action. The loss snapped his three-game winning streak. Shesterkin is 10-9-2 with a 2.48 GAA and a .911 save percentage; those ratios put him 12th overall in both categories. He's likely the only reason the Rangers are within one point of a wild-card spot.

Johansson made 12 saves Saturday in a 4-1 victory against the Rangers.

Honestly, we wonder how he stayed awake Saturday -- the Rangers were in a complete slumber. The only goal that got past him was a deflection off J.T. Miller's skate from the slot. Johansson has won two straight games; he allowed three goals on 32 shots in a win over the Capitals on Nov. 22.

Hofer is set to start at home against Utah on Saturday, per Lou Korac of NHL.com.

Hofer hasn't earned a win since Nov. 6, going 0-2-2 with a 3.46 GAA and an .876 save percentage in four appearances since his last victory. The 25-year-old is 2-5-2 with a 3.82 GAA and an .869 save percentage in 11 outings overall in 2025-26. Utah is in a three-way tie for 13th in goals per game with 3.08.

Comrie is expected to start on the road against Nashville on Saturday, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.

Comrie has a 4-4-0 record, 3.02 GAA and .897 save percentage in eight appearances this season. He's lost his past three starts while allowing 11 goals on 93 shots (.882 save percentage). Nashville ranks 31st in goals per game with 2.54.

Annunen will guard the home goal versus the Jets on Saturday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Annunen will get the second half of a back-to-back after Juuse Saros won over the Blackhawks on Friday. Annunen is also coming off a win, having allowed three goals on 31 shots against the Red Wings on Wednesday. The Jets have been struggling lately, scoring just seven goals during a four-game losing streak.