NHL Player News

Saros made 26 saves in Finland's 6-1 loss Thursday to Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.

We've all thought that the Predators' issues were tied to all the roster changes in the offseason, and that was weighing Saros down, but his poor performance Thursday has us wondering if he's part of the problem in Nashville. There were too many goals Thursday that Saros would like back, and we have to think that the Finnish team brass is seriously weighing Kevin Lankinen or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as the possible starter in Saturday's game against Sweden. The Finns need to win, and we're not sure Saros has that in him right now.

Hellebuyck made 20 saves Thursday in a 6-1 win by Team USA over Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.

He surrendered the game's first goal on the Finn's second shot -- it was a fluttering shot that he missed, and it went over his right shoulder. He shook it off, and his teammates responded with six unanswered goals. Hellebuyck was his efficient, dominant self in the blue paint for the USA. He's the game's best netminder this season, and he made the win look easy. Next up is Team Canada on Saturday night.

Gustavsson made 24 saves for Sweden in a 4-3 overtime loss to Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday.

Gustavsson allowed two goals in the first, but he couldn't be faulted for either. And it's not like he got support early -- Sweden didn't have a shot on goal until 17:16 of the first period. Gustavsson was calm, cool and collected the rest of the way, including late in the third, when the game's fast pace quickened even further. Sweden next faces off on Saturday, when it meets Finland in Montreal.

Binnington allowed three goals on 26 shots in Canada's 4-3 overtime win over Sweden on Wednesday at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.

Honestly, he likely wants the first two goals back. But in true Binner fashion, he battled the rest of the way and threw down some massive saves in overtime when Sweden was dominating. Team Canada coach Jon Cooper has committed to Binnington as "the guy" for this tourney, and there will be debate heading to Canada's next game Saturday. We think Binnington did enough in OT to prove that his compete and battle are what Canada needs in the blue paint next game.

Hellebuyck will guard the cage for Team USA against Finland on Thursday, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

Hellebuyck leads the NHL in games played (43), wins (34) and shutouts (six), so it shouldn't come as a surprise to see the reigning Vezina Trophy winner getting the nod for the United States. With Canada likely the Americans' biggest competition in the 4 Nations Face-Off, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Hellebuyck back between the pipes for Saturday's matchup -- though Jake Oettinger is certainly having a fantastic 2024-25 of his own.

Saros will tend the twine for Finland against the United States on Thursday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.

Saros limps his way into the 4 Nations Face-Off, having gone 0-5-0 with a 4.43 GAA in his last six appearances for the Predators. The 29-year-old netminder should get the nod against Sweden on Saturday as well, though both Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Kevin Lankinen could be options as well.

Gustavsson is expected to start against Team Canada on Wednesday, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Gustavsson won his final two starts with the Wild before the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, stopping 69 of 73 shots (.945 save percentage) in that span. He's 22-11-3 with a 2.63 GAA and a .915 save percentage in 37 appearances in 2024-25. He's got his work cut out for him against Canada's high-powered offense, but if he performs well then perhaps he'll be deployed again Saturday versus Finland. Sweden is also carrying goaltenders Samuel Ersson and Linus Ullmark.

Binnington will be between the pipes for Team Canada's matchup with Sweden on Wednesday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Binnington will start the first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off ahead of Adin Hill or Sam Montembeault for Canada. The 31-year-old BInnington enters the tournament having gone 2-0-1 with a 2.88 GAA in his last three NHL appearances with the Blues. How Binnington performs Wednesday could determine who gets the start versus Team USA on Saturday.

Halverson was returned to AHL Syracuse on Monday, per Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.

Halverson has been the backup goalie behind Andrei Vasilevskiy in the last four games. If Jonas Johansson (lower body) remains unavailable after the 4 Nations Face-Off, Halverson could rejoin the Lightning. The 28-year-old Halverson has a 12-7-7 record with a 2.20 GAA and a .918 save percentage in 26 AHL appearances this season.

Montembeault stopped 11 of 12 shots in relief of Jakub Dobes in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Lightning.

Montembeault was called on early in the second period when the Canadiens fell behind 3-1. Because the Canadiens were able to match the three goals Dobes gave up, Montembeault ended up holding the loss after giving up the decisive tally to Zemgus Girgensons in the second period -- the Lightning also added an empty-netter in the third. Montembeault dropped to 18-21-3 with a 3.00 GAA and an .897 save percentage over a career-high 42 appearances. He's on Team Canada's roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, but it's unclear which of Montembeault, Jordan Binnington or Adin Hill will handle the bulk of the workload during the tournament.