NHL Player News

Blackwood will start on the road versus the Oilers on Friday, Conor McGahey of Altitude TV reports.

Blackwood will start both halves of a back-to-back, as the Avalanche apparently don't want Trent Miner facing the Oilers with Scott Wedgewood (upper body) still ailing. Blackwood made 27 saves on 29 shots in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Flames. The 28-year-old has won four of his last six starts with just 12 goals allowed in that span, though the Oilers' offense is always good to produce a challenge, especially in the second half of a back-to-back.

Saros will protect the road goal versus the Blackhawks on Friday, Predators Radio Host Max Herz reports.

Saros is in a skid, having lost his last four outings while allowing a total of 13 goals on 129 shots (.899 save percentage) in that span. He'll have a favorable matchup to try to turn things around, as the Blackhawks have scored just 15 goals over their last six games, going 1-3-2 in that span.

Oettinger is set to start on the road Friday versus the Kings, per Mike Heika of the Stars' official site.

Oettinger stopped 26 of 28 shots in a 2-1 loss to Anaheim on Tuesday. He's 26-12-1 with a 2.31 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 39 outings. The Kings are tied for 19th in goals per game with 2.84.

Rittich is slated to start at home against Dallas on Friday, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.

Rittich has an 11-11-0 record, 2.62 GAA and .887 save percentage in 23 appearances in 2024-25. His last start came Jan. 30 when he stopped 30 of 32 shots in a 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay -- the final goal was scored on an empty net. Dallas ranks 10th in goals per game with 3.17.

Gustavsson will guard the home cage versus the Islanders on Saturday, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Gustavsson has been great in three of his last four starts, allowing four goals on 91 shots (.956 save percentage), while conceding six goals on a whopping 52 shots in a 6-0 loss in Ottawa on Saturday. Gustavsson is 21-11-3 with three shutouts, a 2.61 GAA and a .915 save percentage across 36 appearances in 2024-25. The Islanders are generating 2.72 goals per game, 26th in the NHL this season.

Dobes will patrol the home crease versus Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Sam Montembeault will start against the Devils on Saturday, leaving Sunday's start to Dobes. Dobes has struggled in his last three starts, going 0-2-1 and allowing 12 goals on 106 shots (.887 save percentage). Dobes won his first five starts in the NHL and is 5-2-1 with a 2.45 GAA and a .917 save percentage. The Lightning could give Dobes all sorts of problems as Tampa Bay is generating 3.49 goals per game, third in the NHL this season.

Montembeault will tend the twine at home versus New Jersey on Saturday.

Montembeault has given up three or more goals in each of his last four outings, posting a 1-3-0 record and .892 save percentage. Heading into the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Habs will roll with Montembeault on Saturday before Jakub Dobes gets the nod at home versus the Lightning on Sunday.

Skinner will defend the home net versus Colorado on Friday, per Tony Brar of Oilers TV.

Skinner is coming off a 20-save performance Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime win versus St. Louis. Skinner is 20-12-4 with two shutouts, a 2.68 GAA and a .902 save percentage in 36 starts this season. The Avalanche will be a tired team after defeating the Flames 4-2 on Thursday in Calgary. Colorado is generating 3.21 goals per game, ninth in the NHL this season.

Skinner will defend the home net versus Colorado on Friday, per Tony Brar of Oilers TV.

Skinner is coming off a 20-save performance Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime win versus St. Louis. Skinner is 20-12-4 with two shutouts, a 2.68 GAA and a .902 save percentage in 36 starts this season. The Avalanche will be a tired team after defeating the Flames 4-2 on Thursday in Calgary. Colorado is generating 3.21 goals per game, ninth in the NHL this season.

Lyon will be between the home pipes versus Tampa Bay on Saturday, per Daniella Bruce of the Red Wings' official site.

Lyon has been great of late, going 5-1-1 in 10 appearances since the Christmas break. allowing 16 goals on 218 shots (.927 save percentage). Lyon is 10-6-1 with a 2.58 GAA and a .908 save percentage across 21 games this season. Lyon has a tough matchup as the Lightning are scoring 3.49 goals per game, third in the NHL this season.