Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Akira Schmid was the first goalie off the ice Wednesday, signaling he will start at home against Vancouver. The 25-year-old is currently on a three-game losing streak, posting an 0-2-1 record and a 3.34 GAA during that span. His start implies Adin Hill will likely get the nod Thursday against the Kings.
Tristan Jarry is slated to start on the road against Calgary on Wednesday. He holds a 15-6-2 record, 3.03 GAA, and .895 SV% in 24 outings this season. Jarry has struggled recently, allowing at least four goals in three of his last four appearances. Facing the Flames, who have averaged just 1.71 goals per game over their last seven (1-4-2), could offer an opportunity for him to bounce back.
Jordan Binnington is expected to start on the road against Dallas on Wednesday. He is currently on a six-game losing streak, during which he posted a 4.38 GAA and an .829 save percentage. For the season, Binnington has an 8-16-6 record with a 3.60 GAA and .866 SV% in 31 appearances. He faces a Dallas team that has won its last five games, outscoring opponents 19-14.
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight will defend the road crease against Columbus on Wednesday, marking his third consecutive start. Knight returned to the win column Monday against the Sharks. Since the beginning of January, he has posted a 6-4-1 record with a 2.59 GAA and a .906 save percentage over 11 starts. He previously faced the Blue Jackets on Friday, stopping 22 of 25 shots in a 4-2 loss.
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (lower body) will not be available for Thursday's game against the Islanders. There is concern he could miss the Winter Olympics with Team USA, though he has until next Thursday's clash with Latvia to reach full health. Prior to his injury, the 24-year-old center was performing well offensively, recording 12 points (including one goal and five power-play assists) in his last 11 games.
Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley will be in goal at home versus Edmonton on Wednesday. Cooley is currently on a three-game losing streak, despite maintaining a decent 2.34 GAA over that span. This season, his ratios have been solid with a 2.22 GAA and a .921 save percentage in 18 appearances, though his limited workload has reduced his fantasy impact.
San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov will tend the twine for Wednesday's road game against Colorado, marking the Sharks' final game before the Olympic break. Askarov has struggled recently, posting a 1-4-1 record with a 4.04 GAA and an .844 save percentage over his last six starts, and was pulled from Monday's loss to Chicago. He faces a challenging matchup against the Avalanche, who lead the league with 3.83 goals per game this season.
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka was the first goalie off the ice, indicating he will be in goal for Wednesday's home clash with Detroit. Vejmelka continues to carry a heavy workload, tied for the league lead with 43 starts this season, posting a 26-14-2 record with a 2.61 GAA, a .900 save percentage, and one shutout. He will join Team Czechia in Milan for the Olympic break.
Jesper Wallstedt (illness) will not travel with the Minnesota Wild for Wednesday's road matchup against Nashville, as reported by Joe Smith of The Athletic. This absence grants him additional recovery time before he is set to join Team Sweden for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. While his goalie partner Filip Gustavsson is anticipated to start for Sweden against Italy, there's a possibility Wallstedt could still see minutes during the Olympic tournament.
Filip Gustavsson will patrol the crease for the Minnesota Wild on the road against Nashville on Wednesday, according to Joe Smith of The Athletic. Gustavsson enters the game undefeated in regulation over his last eight outings, posting a 5-0-2 record with a 2.94 GAA and an .894 save percentage. This strong recent performance positions him with a decent chance to be named the starting goaltender for Team Sweden ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Mackenzie Blackwood is slated to start Wednesday's home game against the San Jose Sharks, as reported by Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette. He has alternated wins and losses over his last five starts, holding a 2-3-0 record with a 2.26 GAA and a .912 save percentage. Notably, Blackwood is coming off two dominant starts against the Red Wings, where he allowed just one goal on 52 shots (.981 SV%) despite a 1-1-0 record. In two November starts against the Sharks, he posted a 1-0-1 record with a 1.48 GAA and a .939 save percentage.
Jake Oettinger will defend the cage for the Dallas Stars at home against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, according to Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News. Oettinger is currently on a five-game winning streak, during which he has posted a 2.74 GAA and an .877 save percentage. This strong run of form heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics could be sufficient to secure him the starting role for Team USA, potentially ahead of fellow goaltenders Connor Hellebuyck and Jeremy Swayman.
Joonas Korpisalo will start in goal for the Boston Bruins on Wednesday against the Panthers. The 31-year-old backstop's inclusion in the Finnish roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics likely influenced this decision. Korpisalo has been on the bench for the Bruins' last three games. In 21 appearances this season, he holds a 10-8-1 record with a 3.12 GAA and one shutout.
Justus Annunen is slated to start Thursday's road game against Washington for the Nashville Predators. This start is part of a back-to-back set before the Olympic break, with Juuse Saros starting Wednesday. Since the start of the calendar year, Annunen has made five appearances, posting a 2-1-1 record with a 2.87 GAA and a .907 save percentage.
Juuse Saros will get the starting nod for the Nashville Predators at home versus Minnesota on Wednesday. This marks the first game of the Preds' back-to-back, with Justus Annunen expected to get the nod for Thursday's road matchup. The veteran Saros was pulled in his last outing after giving up five goals on 21 shots against the Blues on Monday but avoided taking the loss.
Jet Greaves will defend the home crease for the Columbus Blue Jackets against the Blackhawks on Wednesday. He has picked up wins in five of his last six outings, going 5-0-0 with a 2.47 GAA and a .914 save percentage during that span. Greaves faces a favorable matchup against Chicago, who rank seventh-worst in the NHL with 2.70 goals per game this season.
Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell is probable for Wednesday's game against the Boston Bruins, according to Head Coach Paul Maurice. His potential return would provide a boost to the Panthers' lineup as they battle for crucial points before the NHL pauses for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (upper body) is cleared to play in Wednesday's game against Boston after exiting Monday's game. Head Coach Paul Maurice confirmed his return. Additionally, Bennett will replace Anthony Cirelli on Team Canada's Olympic roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. Since January 1st, Bennett has tallied six goals, seven assists, 22 PIM, 20 hits, and six blocked shots in 16 appearances, averaging 19:28 of ice time.
Sergei Bobrovsky will start Wednesday's home game against the Bruins for the Florida Panthers. He has struggled to secure wins since the start of the calendar year, posting a 3-8-0 record with a 3.87 GAA and a .829 save percentage over his last 11 starts, including three consecutive losses. Despite Boston's strong offense (3.38 goals per game), Bobrovsky previously secured a 4-3 victory against them on Oct. 21, stopping 28 of 31 shots.
Mathieu Olivier scored two goals in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Devils, both coming in the third period as insurance tallies. He has now lit the lamp four times in his last four contests, snapping a 10-game point drought. The physical winger has collected eight goals and 17 points in 42 games this season, along with 155 hits, 62 PIM, 54 shots on net, 30 blocked shots, and a plus-8 rating.
