NHL Player News

Tarasov stopped 17 of 20 shots in Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Rangers.

Tarasov's three-game winning streak came to a close as the Blue Jackets' offense couldn't solve Igor Shesterkin in this contest. The 25-year-old Tarasov has allowed just 10 goals over his last four outings, providing solid goaltending in the backup role, though he'll operate as the starter until Elvis Merzlikins (personal) returns to the team. Tarasov is down to 7-8-2 with a 3.51 GAA and an .882 save percentage over 17 appearances this season. The Blue Jackets have a back-to-back next week (Thursday versus the Panthers, Friday versus the Penguins), so Tarasov shouldn't have to wait too long for his next start.

Soderblom is expected to guard the road goal against Vancouver on Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Soderblom will try to rebound after dropping his past two games (0-0-2) while allowing seven goals on 67 shots (.896 save percentage). He's 8-15-7 with a 3.05 GAA and a .905 save percentage in 31 appearances in 2024-25. Vancouver is tied for 26th in goals per game with 2.71.

Hill made 34 saves in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to Buffalo.

Hill faced nearly twice as many shots as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at the other end of the ice, and the game-tying goal that forced the overtime came with just 14 seconds left in the third. Hill deserved better Saturday -- the Sabres opportunistically capitalized on a few scrambles and giveaways while his mates struggled to sustain any offensive pressure. Hill is 5-1-1 with two shutouts in his last seven starts, and he's 24-11-5 with four shutouts, a 2.54 GAA and a .907 save percentage in 40 starts this season.

Luukkonen made 16 saves in a 4-3 shootout win over the Golden Knights on Saturday.

The ice was tilted toward Adin Hill at the other end for most of the night. Luukkonen was good when he had to be. This game was a nice rebound from the seven-goal debacle Tuesday in Detroit. UPL has two wins in his last three games, but he's been a tough play in his last eight (2-5-0). Luukkonen allowed at least five goals in three of those losses, and he was pulled in another game less than eight minutes in. This season has been largely forgettable for him, with a 3.19 GAA and an .888 save percentage in 49 starts (22-21-4).

Kuemper will patrol the home crease against Nashville on Saturday, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.

Kuemper has stopped 73 of 75 shots during his three-game winning streak, including a 21-save shutout victory over Washington on Thursday. He has a 21-8-7 record with three shutouts, a 2.23 GAA and a .916 save percentage across 37 appearances this season. Nashville ranks 31st in the league with 2.62 goals per game in 2024-25.

Annunen is set to start on the road against the Kings on Saturday, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.

Annunen stopped 17 of 19 shots en route to a 3-2 overtime victory over Chicago in his previous start last Saturday. He's 14-9-0 with a 3.15 GAA and an .888 save percentage in 25 appearances between Colorado and Nashville in 2024-25. Los Angeles ranks 18th in goals per game with 2.86.

Vasilevskiy will defend the road net against Boston on Saturday, per Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.

Vasilevskiy has lost his last two outings, surrendering seven goals on 55 shots. He has a 30-18-3 record with four shutouts, a 2.29 GAA and a .919 save percentage through 51 appearances this season. Boston sits 25th in the league with 2.72 goals per game in 2024-25.

Vejmelka is expected to start on the road against Vancouver on Sunday, per Belle Fraser of The Salt Lake Tribune on Saturday.

Vejmelka has an 18-17-6 record, 2.49 GAA and .908 save percentage in 43 outings in 2024-25. While those are decent overall numbers, he's going through a rough patch in which he's won just one of his past four starts (1-1-2) and has allowed 12 goals on 93 shots (.871 save percentage). He's found success against Vancouver this season, posting a 1.44 GAA and a .929 save percentage across two victories over the Canucks, so perhaps his third meeting against them will snap his cold spell.

Kochetkov is set to start on the road against Philadelphia on Saturday.

Kochetkov has won his past four outings while saving 83 of 89 shots (.933 save percentage). He's 24-11-3 with a 2.43 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 39 appearances this season. The Flyers rank 23rd in goals per game with 2.79.

Thompson will guard the road goal agains San Jose on Saturday, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

Thompson has stopped 75 of 85 shots during his three-game winning streak. He has a 28-4-5 record with two shutouts, a 2.36 GAA and a .916 save percentage through 37 appearances this season. San Jose sits 30th in the league with 2.63 goals per game in 2024-25.