NHL Player News

Vejmelka stopped 21 of 25 shots in Wednesday's loss to the Avalanche.

Vejmelka didn't play in the Olympics for Czechia, so he didn't have problems making a start in the return of the NHL season, but his performance wasn't the best. However, he was facing an Avalanche offense that leads the NHL in scoring with 3.84 goals per game. He'll aim to bounce back Friday against the Wild, who will be playing in the second leg of a back-to-back set.

Stutzle is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against the Red Wings due to the flu, Graeme Nichols of The Hockey News reports.

Stutzle played for Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but his status is in question for the Senators' first game back in action. He had scored goals in nine of 12 appearances prior to the layoff, logging nine goals, six assists, 12 hits and eight blocked shots while averaging 19:36 of ice time across that span.

Wedgewood stopped 28 of 30 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Mammoth.

Wedgewood got the start in the first half of the back-to-back set and looked poised between the pipes en route to the win. He hasa 4-3-1 record in eight outings since the start of the calendar year while allowing two or fewer goals in five games during that span, so his performances have been better than his 2.75 GAA indicates. Wedgewood should return to the No. 2 role with Mackenzie Blackwood expected to get the start against the Wild on Thursday.

Dobes is expected to patrol the crease at home versus Washington on Saturday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

It will be Sam Montembeault who gets the first game coming out of the break, featuring against the Islanders on Thursday before Dobes gets the nod Saturday. In his last seven appearances, the 24-year-old Dobes hasn't suffered a regulation loss, going 6-0-1 with a .886 save percentage.

Merzlikins will start Thursday's road game against Boston, The Hockey News reports.

Merzlikins was effective heading into the Olympic break, going 5-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .924 save percentage over his last six starts. He'll draw the start in the Blue Jackets' first game following the layoff but will face a tough test in the Bruins, who are tied for sixth in the NHL with 3.39 goals per game.

DeSmith stopped 18 of 19 shots in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Kraken.

DeSmith got the start Wednesday due to travel logistics, as Jake Oettinger was returning from the 2026 Winter Olympics. DeSmith responded well, but he's expected to return to his regular No. 2 role when the Stars take on the Predators on Saturday.

Daccord stopped 28 of 32 shots in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Stars.

Daccord headed into the Olympic break having won each of his last four starts, but there wasn't much he could've done in this game against a red-hot Stars offense. Daccord has gone 6-4-0 with a 3.01 GAA and an .899 save percentage in his 10 appearances since the beginning of January, but with four starts in Seattle's last five games, he's been taking playing time away from Philipp Grubauer of late.

Swayman will not be in the lineup against Columbus on Thursday, Scott McLaughlin of WEEI reports.

Swayman will take the extra day of rest following his participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics. In his stead, Joonas Korpisalo will get the nod at home versus the Jackets while Michael DiPietro serves as the backup. Look for Swayman to be back between the pipes when the Bruins travel to Philadelphia on Saturday.

Shesterkin (lower body) was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll return to action to start at home against the Flyers.

Shesterkin missed the final month before the Olympic break due to his lower-body injury, but he's been cleared to return in the Rangers' first game following the layoff. He made a home start against the Flyers on Dec. 20 and turned aside 28 of 32 shots (.875 save percentage) in a 5-4 overtime victory.

McAvoy will be a game-time decision versus Columbus on Thursday, Scott McLaughlin of WEEI reports.

According to head coach Marco Sturm, the expectation is that McAvoy will suit up Thursday, but there hasn't been a final decision yet. As such, fantasy managers will need to take a wait-and-see approach to utilizing the defenseman against the Blue Jackets. If McAvoy does sit, it would likely open up power-play minutes for Mason Lohrei.