NHL Player News

Blackwood will tend the twine at home versus the Stars in Game 3 on Wednesday.

Blackwood stopped 35 of 39 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 2, which allowed the Stars to tie the first-round series at 1-1. The 28-year-old Blackwood has handled a starting role for the Avalanche when healthy, and he'll have a chance to give them the upper hand again with the series shifting to home ice for this contest and Saturday's Game 4.

Montembeault will start Wednesday's Game 2 on the road versus the Capitals, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Montembeault put in a good effort, taking a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 1 after the Canadiens pulled off a third-period comeback. The 28-year-old looks to have complete control of the crease for Montreal as it tries to pull off a big upset in the first round.

Oettinger will defend the home crease in Wednesday's Game 3 against Colorado, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After taking the loss in Game 1 of the Stars' first-round series, Oettinger was more effective during Monday's Game 2 overtime victory, turning aside 34 of 37 shots (.919 save percentage) to snap a five-game losing streak. The 26-year-old will attempt to remain effective as the Stars return home Wednesday.

Skinner will patrol the crease on the road in Game 2 against Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports.

Skinner was shelled in Game 1 to the tune of six goals on 30 shots (.800 save percentage) in a losing effort to the Kings. Despite the tough performance, the 26-year-old netminder will get the start ahead of Calvin Pickard, who went 22-10-1 in his 36 regular-season outings. If Skinner stumbles again, his hold on the No. 1 job should probably be in doubt.

Copley was reassigned to AHL Ontario on Wednesday.

Copley was serving as the Kings' third-string goaltender with Los Angeles. The 33-year-old has a 2.49 GAA and a .904 save percentage across 42 regular-season outings with Ontario in 2024-25. Carter George was recalled from Ontario in a corresponding move.

Thompson was the first goalie to leave the ice Wednesday, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports, indicating he'll be in the crease at home for Game 2 against the Habs.

Thompson was stellar in Game 1, stopping 33 of 35 shots (.943 save percentage) in a 3-2 victory over the Habs. While Washington split the crease for much of the season this year, it seems Thompson will get an extended run as the No. 1 option ahead of Charlie Lindgren in the postseason.

Andersen made 25 saves in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Devils in Game 2 of their first-round series.

Jesper Bratt banged home a rebound less than four minutes into the first period to give the Devils a 1-0 lead, but Andersen shut the door the rest of the way. The 35-year-old netminder has had a brilliant start to Carolina's playoff run, allowing two goals on 50 shots in two straight wins. Andersen will look to keep rolling in Game 3 on Friday as the series shifts to New Jersey.

Markstrom stopped 25 of 27 shots in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 2 of their first-round series.

New Jersey grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the first period on a Jesper Bratt tally, but the game belonged to Carolina after that, with the game-winner coming on a Jordan Martinook shorthanded rush early in the second. Markstrom has played well to begin the postseason, giving up five goals on 71 shots, but that hasn't stopped the Devils from falling into an 0-2 hole. They'll try to turn things around when the series shifts to Jersey for Game 3 on Friday.

Hill surrendered four goals on 16 shots in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Wild in Game 2. The fifth goal was an empty-netter.

Defensive miscues, especially in the first period, were the root cause of Hill's poor outing. This ended his four-game winning streak, and it was the first time he'd allowed four or more goals since giving up six to the Kings on March 9. Hill has allowed six goals on 36 shots over two playoff contests -- the Golden Knights have limited how many shots he's seeing, but they're having trouble answering the Wild's top line. The series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Thursday, and Hill will likely tend the twine in that contest.

Gustavsson stopped 30 of 32 shots in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 2.

Gustavsson bounced back from a Game 1 loss, cruising to victory in Vegas on Tuesday to tie the series at one game apiece. The Wild scored the first four goals of this contest, giving Gustavsson enough of a lead to protect despite the Golden Knights' push over the last 30 minutes. The series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Thursday, and it's a safe assumption Gustavsson will again get the nod in goal.