NHL Player News

Stolarz will defend the road crease in Game 3 against Ottawa on Thursday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.

Stolarz has been effective to begin the postseason, picking up back-to-back wins while posting a 1.95 GAA and .934 save percentage over the first two games of the first-round series. He's in the midst of a 10-game winning streak dating back to the regular season, a span that includes three shutout wins. Across that 10-game span, he's posted a 1.48 GAA and .947 save percentage.

Thompson stopped 25 of 26 shots in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 2.

For the second game in a row, Thompson looked impressive between the posts and limited the damage to a minimum. He was beaten in the early stages of the second period by Christian Dvorak, but he protected the crease effectively the rest of the way and was at his best in the third period when he stopped all of the Canadiens' 14 shots. Thompson will aim to continue his winning ways when the series shifts to Montreal for Game 3 on Friday.

Montembeault stopped 29 of 31 shots in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Capitals in Game 2. The third goal was an empty-netter with two seconds left in the third period.

Montembeault has lost his first two playoff appearances, though that has been more due to the lack of offensive support than to the 28-year-old struggling between the posts. He's stopped 58 of the 63 shots he's faced in the series, and he'll hope to get back to winning ways when the series returns to Montreal for Game 3 on Friday.

Vasilevskiy was the first goalie to leave the ice Thursday, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports, indicating he'll be in goal for Game 2 at home versus the Panthers.

Vasilevskiy was never going to lose the starting gig in Tampa, despite having given up six goals on 16 shots for his worst save percentage of the season (.625) in Game 1. The 30-year-old backstop has led the Bolts to three Stanley Cup Finals, including two wins over his 11-year career, so benching him for Jonas Johansson probably hasn't even crossed head coach Jon Cooper's mind.

Pickard stopped two of three shots in relief of Stuart Skinner in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Kings in Game 2.

Pickard allowed a goal to Adrian Kempe immediately after entering the contest, squashing any hopes of the Oilers making a comeback. Stuart Skinner has allowed 11 goals on 58 shots over the first two games of the series, so it's hard to imagine Pickard doing any worse if he gets the start on home ice for Friday's Game 3. However, if the Kings continue to play well, neither Edmonton goalie will be a viable option in fantasy.

Skinner stopped 23 of 28 shots in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Kings in Game 2.

Skinner made it about halfway through the third period before he was replaced by Calvin Pickard, who allowed the sixth and final goal against. With 11 goals allowed on 58 shots over two playoff contests, Skinner simply isn't getting the job done. The Oilers have yet to name a starting goalie for Friday's Game 3, but it could go either way at this point, as they can't afford to fall into a 3-0 hole in the series with how leaky they've been at the back.

Kuemper stopped 24 of 26 shots in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Oilers in Game 2.

The Kings' offense stayed consistent from their Game 1 win, and Kuemper was a little more dialed in this time around. With plenty of support, he had no trouble winning his second game in a row. The 34-year-old netminder will face a tougher task in the next two contests as the series shifts to Edmonton, beginning with Friday's Game 3.

Blackwood stopped 26 of 28 shots in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

Blackwood put in a good effort, but Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin were able to get the better of him to put the Stars ahead 2-1 in the series. Blackwood has allowed seven goals on 91 shots, so he's played well and just hasn't gotten the results to go his way in the last two contests. The Avalanche trust the 28-year-old to handle a starting role, so expect him back between the pipes for Saturday's Game 4 at home.

Oettinger allowed one goal on 28 shots in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime win over the Avalanche in Game 3.

Oettinger gave up an early goal to Valeri Nichushkin, but he was able to shut the door for the rest of the contest. This was Oettinger's second overtime win in a row, allowing the Stars to pull ahead 2-1 in the series despite not yet having much control in the games. He's allowed eight goals on 89 shots over three games. Oettinger will likely get the nod again for Game 4 on Saturday.

Kuemper will protect the home goal versus the Oilers in Wednesday's Game 2, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.

Kuemper will be looking for a better performance than in Game 1, where he got the win but gave up five goals on 25 shots. The 34-year-old had not allowed more than four goals in any of his last 18 regular-season appearances. The Oilers' offense is as dangerous as any, which will likely keep Kuemper on his toes throughout the first round.