NHL Player News

Luukkonen will guard the visiting net in Florida on Saturday, according to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.

Luukkonen has lost three straight games, allowing 14 goals on 81 shots in losses to Montreal, San Jose and Tampa Bay. Luukkonen is 20-19-4 with a pair of shutouts, a 3.14 GAA and an .890 save percentage across 45 appearances this season. The Panthers are averaging 3.25 goals per game in 2024-25, eighth in the NHL.

Knight stopped 36 of 39 shots in Friday's 4-3 overtime win over Utah.

Knight has made two appearances for the Blackhawks since being acquired from the Panthers. He has won both contests, saving 77 of 81 shots for a .951 save percentage. The promising 23-year-old goaltender will aim to continue this solid stretch of play in his next start, but since the Blackhawks will play Saturday at Nashville in the second leg of a back-to-back set, he's likely to be rested. Knight could return to the crease Monday in Colorado.

Vejmelka stopped 21 of 25 shots in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Blackhawks.

Vejmelka was beaten three times in the second period, including once via a penalty shot, before Connor Bedard scored the game-winning goal. Despite the loss, Vejmelka has posted solid numbers in recent weeks, going 4-1-1 with a 2.00 GAA and a .919 save percentage in his six outings since the league resumed following the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

Ersson will be between the home pipes versus Seattle on Saturday.

Ersson has been shaky over his last three appearances, giving up 12 goals on only 57 shots (.789 save percentage). Ersson is 18-11-4 with a 2.94 GAA and a .889 save percentage in 36 appearances in 2024-25. The Kraken are generating 2.94 goals per game, 16th in the NHL this season.

Shesterkin will defend the visiting crease in Ottawa on Saturday, according to Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

Shesterkin is 3-1-1 in his last five starts, allowing 10 goals on 140 shots (.929 save percentage). Overall, the 29-year-old Russian netminder is 21-21-3 with four shutouts, a 2.86 GAA and a .905 save percentage over 45 starts this season. The Senators are averaging 2.84 goals per game in 2024-25, 19th in the NHL.

Thompson stopped 17 of 19 shots in Friday's 5-2 win over the Red Wings.

Thompson protected the Caps' crease after not playing in the 3-2 road win over the Rangers, and he recorded a second straight win while delivering a solid display between the pipes. Thompson continues to split time with Charlie Lindgren, so it's unclear if the 28-year-old netminder, who has gone 3-2-0 with a 2.81 GAA and an .893 save percentage over his last five games, will start against the Kraken on Sunday. If Thompson doesn't get the nod, his next chance to protect the Washington crease will come against the Ducks on Monday.

Talbot stopped 23 of 28 shots in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Capitals.

Talbot has been slumping in recent games and has given up at least four goals in three straight outings, going 0-3-0 with a 4.42 GAA and an .831 save percentage over that stretch. The Capitals entered Friday's game as one of the best offenses in the NHL, with an average of 3.58 goals per game, so it's not surprising to see Talbot struggle with the matchup. He'll aim to bounce back in his next start, which could come either Monday at Ottawa or Wednesday at home against Buffalo.

Vanecek was the first goaltender off the ice at the morning skate, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports, and is expected to defend the home crease versus Buffalo on Saturday.

Vanecek will make his Florida debut in Saturday's matchup after being acquired from San Jose on Wednesday. He lost seven straight games for the lowly Sharks before the trade and was 3-10-3 with a 3.88 GAA and an .882 save percentage across 18 appearances this season. His numbers should improve with the Panthers. The Sabres have generated 3.18 goals per game, 11th in the NHL this season.

Markstrom made 29 saves on 35 shots in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Jets.

Markstrom started Friday's game off strong by allowing just one late goal in the first period. However, he experienced a collapse throughout the rest of the game by conceding five more tallies. The 35-year-old goaltender has a 21-12-5 record with a 2.34 GAA and a .907 save percentage. Markstrom is 0-3-0 in his three starts since his return from a knee injury. While he still seems to be shaking off some rust, Markstrom could face challenges down the stretch due to the absences of Jack Hughes (shoulder) and Dougie Hamilton (lower body). Markstrom's next opportunity to guard the crease is Sunday against the Flyers.

Hellebuyck allowed just one goal while stopping 22 of 23 shots in Friday's 6-1 win over New Jersey.

Hellebuyck kept Winnipeg's net tidy through the first two periods before Dawson Mercer scored New Jersey's lone goal in the third frame. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck has a 37-8-3 record with a 1.99 GAA and a .927 save percentage in 48 games this season. Hellebuyck has 37 wins in three straight campaigns and accomplished the feat in 12 fewer games than a season ago. Hellebuyck remains the top option between the pipes in fantasy this season. He has a legitimate case for the Vezina Trophy and the Hart Trophy.