NHL Player News

Luukkonen will defend the road net against Montreal on Tuesday in Game 4, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Luukkonen allowed seven goals on 40 shots en route to a 1-1 record in Buffalo's first-round series against Boston. He made 32 saves in a 4-2 win over Montreal on Jan. 22 during the 2025-26 regular season. The door is open for Luukkonen to reclaim the No. 1 spot between the pipes after Alex Lyon surrendered nine goals on 63 shots over the Sabres' last two losses.

Dobes is expected to patrol the crease at home in Game 4 versus the Sabres on Tuesday, Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette reports.

Dobes has been solid in the postseason, going 6-4 with a 2.13 GAA and .918 save percentage in 10 contests. Considering the 24-year-old backstop has only given up more than two goals in one of his last six outings, there was little doubt he would remain in the crease for Game 4.

Wallstedt stopped 29 of 32 shots in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche in Game 4. The last two goals were empty-netters.

Wallstedt had a decent performance, but the Avalanche were able to hold onto the lead after Parker Kelly's goal at 11:32 of the third period. Wallstedt dropped to 5-4 this postseason, and he has a 2.66 GAA and a .912 save percentage over nine contests. The Wild have their backs against the wall now, facing a 3-1 series deficit and a trip to Colorado for Wednesday's Game 5 with the season on the line.

Blackwood stopped 19 of 21 shots in Monday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 4.

Blackwood made his first start of the postseason, and while it wasn't a dominant performance, it was enough for the win. The 29-year-old hadn't started since April 14 versus the Flames. Blackwood could get a chance to string together some starts after earning this win, especially since it gave the Avalanche a 3-1 series lead that allows the team to tinker if necessary. Game 5 is in Colorado on Wednesday.

Blackwood is expected to protect the road net against Minnesota on Monday in Game 4, according to Peter Baugh of The Athletic.

After occupying the starter's crease at Monday's morning skate and being the first goalie off the ice, Blackwood appears poised to make his first start this postseason. He stopped 12 of 13 shots in a relief appearance during Game 3's 5-1 loss to the Wild on Saturday. Blackwood posted a 23-10-2 record with three shutouts, a 2.50 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 38 outings during the 2025-26 regular season. Minnesota has amassed 36 goals in nine games this postseason.

Wallstedt will patrol the home crease against Colorado on Monday in Game 4, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports.

Wallstedt is coming off a 35-save performance in Game 3's 5-1 win over the Avalanche on Saturday. He has stopped 240 of 263 shots (.913 save percentage) en route to a 5-3 record through eight appearances this postseason. Colorado has scored 28 goals in only seven outings during the playoffs.

Dobes made 26 saves on 28 shots in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Sabres in Game 3.

Tage Thompson knocked a puck past Dobes just 53 seconds into the first period, but he shook it off and allowed only a power-play tally by Rasmus Dahlin the rest of the way as Montreal's offense took control. The 24-year-old netminder sports an impressive 2.13 GAA and .918 save percentage through his first 10 career playoff starts heading into Game 4 on Tuesday, as the Canadiens look to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

Lyon stopped 31 of 36 shots in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Canadiens in Game 3. Montreal's final goal was scored into an empty net.

The veteran netminder came up with some big saves, but defensive breakdowns by Buffalo once again led to plenty of open looks and second chances for Montreal. Lyon has now given up nine goals on 63 shots over the last two games, both losses, and while he isn't fully at fault for those results, head coach Lindy Ruff may have to consider a switch in the crease for Game 4 on Tuesday.

Hart stopped 19 of 23 shots in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Ducks in Game 4.

Hart had allowed a total of five goals on 94 shots over the first three games of this series, so this was a bit of a letdown performance. The 27-year-old hadn't posted a save percentage lower than .926 over his previous four contests. He's now at a 6-4 record with a 2.55 GAA and a .908 save percentage through 10 playoff games. This series has become a best-of-three to wrap it up, making Tuesday's Game 5 in Vegas a critical one to win.

Dostal stopped 18 of 21 shots in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights in Game 4.

Dostal continues to alternate wins and losses. He was pulled after the first period of Game 3 but bounced back Sunday in Game 4. Dostal is now 6-4 with a 3.42 GAA and an .874 save percentage over 10 playoff contests. While his Game 4 performance wasn't all that impressive, it should be enough for the 25-year-old to get the nod on the road in Game 5.