NHL Player News

Saros stopped all 14 shots he faced after relieving Kevin Lankinen in the second period of Finland's 5-3 loss to Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday.

Saros had lost the starting job to Lankinen earlier in the tournament, but he ended strong. The Predators and fantasy managers alike will look to Saros to build off this parting shot for the final stretch. He went into the tournament on a five-game losing streak, and is 11-23-6 with a 2.95 GAA and .899 save percentage. Those are Saros' worst numbers of his career.

Lankinen allowed four goals on 13 shots before he was pulled at the 5:03 mark of the second period of Finland's 5-3 loss to Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday.

Team Canada had dominated the first period, with Finland surrendering multiple rush chances. Lankinen didn't have much of a chance. He was relieved by Juuse Saros. Lankinen will take a few days before returning to Vancouver. He will be a valuable fantasy play to finish the season and going forward, as starter Thatcher Demko (undisclosed) continues to show real fragility.

Binnington made 23 saves on 26 shots in Canada's 5-3 win over Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday.

Binnington was cruising in the the third period with a 4-0 lead, and then all seemed fine when Esa Lindell scored for Finland at 13:19. But then the Finns turned up the heat 6-on-5, and Mikael Granlund scored twice in a 23-second span to pull the Finns within a goal with 1:17 left. It's not that the goals were Binnington's fault per se, but he wasn't square to either shot. He will need to be near-perfect Thursday in the championship game against Team USA.

Ersson will tend the twine for Team Sweden against the United States on Monday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Linus Ullmark (illness) was the first netminder off at Monday's morning skate, but Ersson will draw his first start of the tournament due to the former's ailment. Ersson will take on a strong American squad that has scored nine goals through two games, which could prove to be valuable experience for the 25-year-old.

Ullmark is contending with an illness and will not be available for Sweden's game versus Team USA on Monday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Samuel Ersson will get the start in place of Ullmark at TD Garden in Boston. The Swedes will be playing for pride Monday -- the Americans will face Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final on Thursday. Ullmark will have plenty of time to recover before the Senators resume play Saturday against Montreal.

Ullmark was the first goalie off the ice Monday, Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic reports, indicating he'll be between the pipes for Sweden's game against Team USA.

Ullmark saw action in relief of Filip Gustavsson against Finland on Saturday and will now get the starting nod for a crucial matchup with the Americans. In his two appearances with Ottawa following his extended absence due to a back injury, the 31-year-old netminder underwhelmed, giving up seven goals on 84 shots (.917 save percentage) in a pair of defeats. He'll need to perform significantly better if Sweden is going to make the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Binnington will defend the road net in Monday's 4 Nations Face-Off game against Team Finland, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Binnington has a 1-1-0 record with a 2.41 GAA and an .896 save percentage through games in the tournament. He stopped 20 of 22 shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the United States, with the third goal being an empty-netter. Canada and Finland must win in regulation to guarantee a spot in Thursday's championship game versus Team USA. If the matchup between Canada and Finland goes into overtime and Sweden defeats the Americans in regulation, the Swedes will advance to the finals.

Oettinger will patrol the home crease in Monday's 4 Nations Face-Off matchup against Team Sweden, Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine reports.

Oettinger will see his first game action in the tournament after Connor Hellebuyck made two straight starts. The 26-year-old Oettinger has a 26-12-2 record with a 2.35 GAA and a .911 save percentage through 40 appearances with Dallas this season. Team USA has already secured a spot in Thursday's championship game. Still, Sweden can earn a berth in the finals with a regulation win over the United States, as long as the contest between Canada and Finland is decided in overtime or a shootout.

Lankinen will guard the home net against Team Canada on Monday at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Lankinen will make his second straight start for Finland after stopping 21 shots in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over Sweden. With a regulation win over Canada on Monday, Finland can advance to the championship game against the United States on Thursday.

Gustavsson (illness) was present at Team Sweden's meeting Sunday and is expected to be available for Monday's matchup with the USA, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports.

Gustavsson started Saturday against Finland but allowed two goals on four shots before departing late in the opening period with an illness. While it appears Gustavsson will be available Monday, it's yet to be determined whether he or Linus Ullmark will get the start against the Americans.