NHL Player News

Markstrom saved 41 of 44 shots on goal in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 1.

Markstrom was put under pressure by Carolina's offense throughout the entire game. While he allowed three goals, he played well to save 41 shots including eight chances with a man disadvantage. He ended his first game of the postseason with a .932 save percentage. Markstrom had a strong regular season with 26-16-6 record but has lost his last three outings and is winless since New Jersey's April 5 matchup versus the Rangers. If the Devils' blue line can provide Markstrom with a stronger backing for the rest of the series, he should be in a better spot to turn the tides in New Jersey's favor.

Andersen saved 23 of 24 shots on net in Sunday's 4-1 win over New Jersey in Game 1.

Andersen was steady in net all game as he allowed just one goal to New Jersey's Nico Hischier late in the second period. He wasn't tasked with defending many power plays and played with the lead for all but two and a half minutes of Game 1. Sunday's win was Andersen's first since April 2, which was Carolina's 74th contest of the regular season. He will boast a 1-0-0 playoff record with a 1.00 GAA and a .958 save percentage heading into his next outing of the postseason.

Kuemper will defend the home crease in Monday's Game 1 against Edmonton, Eric Stephens of The Athletic reports.

Kuemper didn't appear in either of the Kings' final two games of the regular season, but he'll unsurprisingly be in the net to begin postseason play. He's been sharp over the past month and a half, going 13-3-0 with a 1.27 GAA and .946 save percentage over his final 16 appearances of the regular season.

Montembeault will guard the road goal in Game 1 versus Washington on Monday, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

Montembeault will make his first NHL playoff start after posting a 31-24-7 record with four shutouts, a 2.82 GAA and a .901 save percentage across 62 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. He allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Capitals on Dec. 7. Washington finished second in the league with 3.49 goals per game in the 2024-25 regular season.

Skinner will start Monday's Game 1 on the road at the Kings, Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels reports.

Skinner backstopped the Oilers on the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, and he is going to be the go-to goalie in this postseason run as well. Skinner missed nine of the team's final 11 games with a head injury, but started two of the final three games to try to get back up to speed. The good news for Edmonton is that the 26-year-old goaltender has been fantastic against the Kings this season, going 1-0-1 with a 1.95 GAA and a .932 save percentage.

Binnington will tend the road twine for Game 2 against Winnipeg on Monday, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.

Binnington has been struggling for victories of late, going 1-2-1 with a 2.96 GAA in his last four appearances, including a Game 1 loss Saturday. Still, the 31-year-old backstop shouldn't be expected to cede the starting role to Joel Hofer any time soon. During the regular season, the Jets converted on the power play at a league-best 28.9 percent rate, so Binnington will no doubt be begging his teammates to stay out of the box.

Hellebuyck is slated to start in Monday's Game 2 at home against the Blues, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.

Hellebuyck was stellar during the regular season but faltered slightly in Game 1 of the first-round series Saturday, allowing three goals on 17 shots (.824 save percentage). However, the Jets still secured a 5-3 victory, and Hellebuyck will have a chance to right the ship Monday.

Copley was recalled from AHL Ontario on Monday.

Copley made one relief appearance for the Kings on Oct. 16 against Toronto, stopping 10 of 12 shots in a 6-2 loss. He posted a 24-17-1 record with a 2.49 GAA and a .904 save percentage across 42 AHL regular-season appearances in 2024-25. Copley will be the third netminder with the Kings in the playoffs behind Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich.

Oettinger was the first goalie to leave the ice ahead of Monday's Game 2, indicating he'll start in goal at home versus Colorado, Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine reports, indicating he'll be in goal.

Oettinger gave up four goals on 23 shots (.826 save percentage) in Game 1 on Saturday but figures to remain the No. 1 option in the crease. Still, another bad outing could lead the Stars to at least consider giving Casey DeSmith a look. During the regular season, the 26-year-old Oettinger went 36-18-4 in 58 appearances, his third straight year reaching the 35-win threshold. That consistency has likely afforded him some leeway in the playoffs.

Gustavsson stopped 23 of 26 shots in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.

Gustavsson didn't play poorly, but the Golden Knights put a puck past him in each period. The 26-year-old Swede didn't enter the playoffs in the greatest of form, going 3-3-2 with a 3.04 GAA and an .892 save percentage over his last nine regular-season outings. Gustavsson is the clear starter in the Wild's crease, though they could always turn to Marc-Andre Fleury for a change of pace. Gustavsson will likely get the chance to even the series in Game 2 on Tuesday.