NHL Player News

Daws played the final 1:42 of Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Avalanche and did not face a shot.

Jake Allen was on the hook for all five goals, including three in a span of 4:04 late in the third period. Daws' time on the NHL roster may be coming to a close soon, as Jacob Markstrom (knee) is practicing with the Devils during their current five-game road trip. That leaves the goaltending plans a bit up in the air for this weekend's back-to-back (Saturday at Utah, Sunday at Vegas). If Markstrom is not cleared to return for either of those games, Daws would likely split the starts with Allen.

Allen allowed five goals on 36 shots in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Avalanche.

Allen played nearly the whole game, but exited with 1:42 left in the third period after giving up the fifth goal, three of which came in a span of 4:04. There was no report of an injury following the contest, so it's safe to assume the 34-year-old netminder is good to go for the remainder of the road trip. Allen is now 9-13-1 with a 2.70 GAA and a .906 save percentage through 23 appearances. Jacob Markstrom (knee) is on the trip, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to go in time to start one of the Devils' next two games, which are in a back-to-back set this weekend with stops in Utah on Saturday and Vegas on Sunday.

Blackwood stopped 22 of 23 shots in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Devils.

Blackwood allowed just one goal on 67 shots across two matchups against the Devils this season. The 28-year-old had to play well early in this contest, which was close until the Avalanche ran away with the lead late in the third period. Blackwood improved to 21-16-5 with a 2.50 GAA and a .916 save percentage through 43 appearances this season. The Avalanche are in action Friday at home versus the Wild in a game that has significant weight in the Central Division standings.

Allen is expected to start on the road versus the Avalanche on Wednesday, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Allen's time as the Devils' starter could be nearing a close since Jacob Markstrom (knee) has returned to practice. Over his last seven games, Allen is 3-4-0, with two of those wins being shutouts, but he's given up at least three goals in each of the other five contests. The 34-year-old will face a Colorado team with just 13 goals scored over its last six games, a span in which it has gone 3-3-0.

Hellebuyck is expected to start on the road against Ottawa on Wednesday.

Hellebuyck has won his past seven starts, posting a 2.13 GAA and a .917 save percentage across that stretch. What's especially impressive is how unremarkable that stretch is when measured against his season overall. While this is the longest winning streak Hellebuyck's enjoyed in 2024-25, his recent GAA and save percentage are actually worse than his season-long marks of 2.04 and .925, respectively, across 44 outings. Ottawa ranks 22nd in goals per game with 2.79 and will be missing forwards Josh Norris (upper body), Shane Pinto (upper body) and Brady Tkachuk (lower body), so this is a favorable assignment for the netminder.

Lankinen was the first goalie off Wednesday, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll draw the road start against Los Angeles.

Lankinen has been relatively effective in recent outings, going 3-1-1 with a 1.85 GAA and .932 save percentage over his last five appearances. The Kings rank 16th in the NHL with 2.91 goals per game this season.

Rittich is slated to start at home against Vancouver on Wednesday, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.

Rittich has a 12-11-1 record, 2.59 GAA and .890 save percentage in 25 appearances with the Kings in 2024-25. He stopped 25 of 26 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to Anaheim in his last start Feb. 8. The Canucks rank 26th in goals per game with 2.74.

Blackwood is expected to start at home against the Devils on Wednesday, according to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Blackwood has a 20-16-5 record, 2.54 GAA and .915 save percentage in 42 appearances between San Jose and Colorado in 2024-25. He's coming off a rough start in which he allowed three goals on 25 shots en route to a 3-1 loss to St. Louis on Sunday. Blackwood started his NHL career with the Devils and played for them through the 2022-23 campaign. He started against his former team Nov. 10 and earned a 44-save shutout versus New Jersey.

Ullmark is starting Wednesday' home game against the Jets, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Ullmark has struggled in recent outings, going 0-3-0 with a 4.88 GAA and .879 save percentage over his last three starts. He'll have a chance to right the ship after he allowed five goals on 15 shots during Saturday's home loss to the Canadiens, but he could have trouble bouncing back against the Jets, who rank third in the NHL with 3.57 goals per game.

Thompson turned aside 22 shots in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Calgary.

The Flames struck twice in the first period, with the first tally deflecting into the net off Martin Pospisil's knee and the second coming on a clear breakaway for Matthew Coronato, and the Capitals couldn't climb out of the early hole. Thompson has had a bumpy February, allowing at least three goals in all five of his starts and going 2-1-2 with a 3.59 GAA and .878 save percentage, but his next win will give him a new career high at 26.