NHL Player News

Hildeby was assigned to AHL Toronto on Thursday.

Hildeby has seen sporadic playing time for the Maple Leafs this year, and he had started in just three of the team's last nine games. He went 1-2-0 with a 2.97 GAA and .868 save percentage during that time but should see more consistent opportunities in the minors. Matt Murray was recalled by the Maple Leafs and should serve as Joseph Woll's backup while Anthony Stolarz (knee) remains sidelined.

Murray was recalled from AHL Toronto on Thursday.

Murray has appeared in two games for the Leafs this season in which he posted a 1-1-0 record to go with a 3.53 GAA. Even with his promotion, the two-time Stanley Cup champion figures to serve as the No. 2 option behind Joseph Woll. In the minors this year, Murray is sporting an impressive 1.68 GAA and .934 save percentage while going 8-4-2 in 15 outings.

Talbot will get the starting nod at home against Montreal on Thursday, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Talbot will look to bounce back from a disappointing outing against the Lightning on Saturday in which he was given the hook after two periods. The veteran backstop has gotten two games off following that debacle, so he should be extra rested heading into Thursday's tilt. Prior to the game against the Bolts, Talbot had been riding a five-game winning streak and will look to rediscover that form against the Habs.

Ersson will defend the road crease against the Rangers on Thursday, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Ersson has picked up wins in each of his last five starts, posting a 1.58 GAA and .930 save percentage during that time. He'll start in a fourth consecutive game Thursday. On the season, Ersson has gone 14-7-2 with a 2.70 GAA and .892 save percentage over 25 appearances.

Shesterkin will patrol the home crease versus Philadelphia on Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Shesterkin has been red-hot of late as he has gone 164:03 without allowing a goal. Shesterkin is coming off back-to-back shutouts and is 16-15-2 with a 2.78 GAA and a .912 save percentage. The Flyers are scoring 3.02 goals per game, 15th in the NHL this season.

Hildeby stopped 14 of 18 shots in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to Columbus. The Blue Jackets' fifth goal was an empty-netter.

Hildeby made his first start since Jan. 11 and didn't have a strong performance, posting a .778 save percentage. He's dropped his last two outings while making 29 saves on 36 shots faced (.806 save percentage), losing to the Canucks and Blue Jackets. The 23-year-old doesn't have much fantasy upside due to his backup role, and he'll likely head to the minors once Anthony Stolarz (knee) is back from injury, which might happen at some point in late January or February.

Gustavsson will defend the home crease versus Utah on Thursday, per Wild insider Kevin Falness.

Gustavsson has struggled of late, going 0-3-0 while allowing 19 goals on 118 shots (.839 save percentage) over his last four starts. Gustavsson's season stats still look solid following his stellar start to the year, as he is 18-9-3 with a 2.58 GAA and a .914 save percentage over 31 appearances this season. Utah is averaging 2.87 goals per game this season, which ranks 21st in the NHL.

Merzlikins stopped 28 of 29 shots in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Merzlikins kicked off the calendar year with a loss to the Red Wings on Jan. 2, but he's been excellent since then with five wins over his last six appearances. Over that six-game stretch, the 30-year-old netminder has posted a 5-1-0 record with a 2.32 GAA and a .912 save percentage.

Korpisalo appeared in relief and stopped five of six shots in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to New Jersey.

Korpisalo entered the game to begin the third period after Jeremy Swayman allowed four goals on 29 shots faced before being pulled. Korpisalo has made two consecutive appearances, as he also started in the 6-3 win over the Sharks on Monday. Still, he should remain in a backup role, thus limiting his fantasy upside considerably for the foreseeable future.

Swayman allowed four goals on 29 shots faced before being pulled from Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Devils.

Swayman departed the contest at the end of the second period and was replaced by Joonas Korpisalo, who made five saves on six shots. Swayman has found himself on the losing end in four of his last six starts, a span in which he's gone 2-3-1 with a 3.45 GAA and a .913 save percentage.