NHL Player News

Luukkonen stopped 16 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Ducks.

He wasn't especially busy, but Luukkonen was still staring at a 2-0 deficit heading into the third period on two Anaheim power-play tallies before Buffalo's offense woke up in the final frame. The 25-year-old netminder has won five of his last six starts to get to 20 victories on the season, benefitting from some impressive goal support despite a lackluster 2.85 GAA and .887 save percentage over that span.

Shesterkin stopped 36 of 37 shots in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Islanders.

Shesterkin was outstanding Tuesday and recorded a second consecutive win after topping the Penguins on Sunday. In three appearances since the league resumed following the 4 Nations break, Shesterkin has gone 2-1-0 with a 3.90 GAA and a .903 save percentage. However, those numbers are inflated following the 8-2 loss to the Sabres on Feb. 22, in which he allowed five goals in only 16 shots. This season, the star netminder has posted a 20-20-2 record with a 2.93 GAA and a .906 save percentage.

Dostal made 32 saves in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Sabres.

The Ducks took a 2-0 lead into the third period but proceeded to hang Dostal out to dry by getting out-shot 18-6 in the final frame, although the netminder might like another crack at Henri Jokiharju's game-winner from a sharp angle. Dostal has appeared in four straight games while John Gibson (upper body) has been back on the shelf, going 2-1-1 with a 2.89 GAA and .921 save percentage.

Skarek stopped all seven shots he faced in relief during Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Rangers.

Skarek looked solid between the pipes in the third period after replacing Ilya Sorokin, who allowed five goals on 11 shots before being replaced at the start of the third period. Skarek has made just two appearances (one start) this season, stopping 34 of 39 shots and posting a 3.95 GAA.

Sorokin was pulled from Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Rangers after allowing five goals on 11 shots.

The 29-year-old allowed five goals on 11 shots before being replaced at the start of the third period by Jakub Skarek, who stopped all seven shots he faced. Sorokin has dropped each of his past four starts, posting a 5.02 GAA and an .818 save percentage in that span. He'll aim to bounce back in his next start, with the Isles' upcoming game coming against the Bruins on Thursday.

Tomkins was reassigned to AHL Syracuse on Wednesday.

Tomkins was with Tampa Bay because Jonas Johansson (lower body) has been unavailable. This roster move might indicate that Johansson is ready to return, but Tampa Bay is off until Thursday, so there would still be time for the Lightning to recall Tomkins or another netminder if that's not the case. The 30-year-old Tomkins has a 2.54 GAA and a .911 save percentage in 22 outings with Syracuse this season.

Merzlikins stopped 19 of 23 shots in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Stars.

Merzlikins has won his two starts following the break while stopping 46 of the 51 shots he's faced. However, it's clear the offense bailed him out Tuesday, as he posted a .826 save percentage while facing a mere 19 shots -- it was only the eighth time he faced less than 20 shots in a game this season. Merzlikins will try to extend the winning streak to three games the next time he has to defend Columbus' crease. The team's upcoming two games are against the Red Wings on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

Oettinger stopped 23 of 28 shots in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jackets. The sixth goal was an empty-netter with 32 seconds left in the third period.

Oettinger was beaten just 30 seconds into the game by Kirill Marchenko, and things went downhill from there. He allowed two goals in each of the first and second frames and also conceded a goal in the early stages of the third. This was only the third time he gave up five or more goals in a game this season, and the star goaltender will aim to bounce back the next time he's tabbed with defending the Stars' crease. Dallas' upcoming two games will be against the Kings and Blues on Friday and Sunday, respectively.

Nedeljkovic made 32 saves in a 6-1 loss to the Flyers on Tuesday.

This wasn't on Ned -- the Pens were soundly outplayed in every aspect of the game. They didn't win any puck battles, and they coughed up the puck far too many times. Nedeljkovic has lost both starts since the 4 Nations break, and he has allowed 11 goals. Keep him on your bench until his team figures out it's in the NHL now. He can't win the games alone.

Ersson made 23 saves in a 6-1 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

The only goal that got past Ersson came off the stick of Philip Tomasino in the second period, who took a saucer pass to the net before going forehand to backhand around his right pad. Ersson has won three consecutive starts, he's 3-1-1 with a 2.20 GAA and a .926 save percentage in his last five games. But his strong play started long ago -- he's 12-5-1 in his last 18 starts dating back to Dec. 21. Ersson is developing into a solid number one netminder.