NHL Player News

Lankinen is expected to start at home against Nashville on Friday, Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com reports.

Lankinen has a 15-6-4 record, 2.60 GAA and .907 save percentage in 25 appearances in 2024-25. He'll be playing for the second straight day after entering Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over the Kraken because Thatcher Demko suffered a back injury. Lankinen stopped 13 of 15 shots in 37:11 of ice time and was perfect in three shootout rounds. Nashville ranks last in goals per game with 2.39.

Demko (back) will not be in the lineup against Nashville on Friday, Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com reports.

Considering it's the second night of a back-to-back, at best Demko would have served as the reserve option even without his back injury. As such, there is no reason for the team to risk him, and the Canucks instead brought up Arturs Silovs to serve as the No. 2 behind Kevin Lankinen on Friday. Injuries have already limited Demko to just seven appearances this season, so fantasy managers will undoubtedly be hoping he is cleared in time to face the Canadiens on Monday.

Forsberg will be between the road pipes against the Blues on Friday, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Although Leevi Merilainen drew the road start in Dallas on Thursday in the first half of a back-to-back set, Forsberg will return the crease for the first time since Dec. 8 after missing time with a lower-body injury. Forsberg made 11 appearances prior to his absence, posting a 4-6-0 record, 2.95 GAA and .889 save percentage. He'll have a favorable matchup during his first game back in action, as the Blues are averaging just 2.69 goals this season, which is the ninth-worst mark in the league.

Jarry was the first goaltender off the ice at morning skate, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports, and is slated to defend the visiting crease in Florida on Friday.

Jarry sat out the last two games after starting in eight of the previous nine contests. The 29-year-old is 8-6-2 with a 3.58 GAA and a .883 save percentage across 17 appearances this season. The Panthers are averaging 3.33 goals in 2024-25.

Blackwood stopped two of three shots and earned the win in relief during Thursday's 6-5 overtime win over the Sabres.

Blackwood stepped onto the ice in the third period after Scott Wedgewood departed the contest with an apparent lower-body injury following a collision in the third period. He couldn't keep a shutout, but at least he was solid enough to see the Avs completing a late comeback. Blackwood should return to his regular starting role against the Canadiens on Saturday.

Luukkonen stopped 23 of 29 shots in Thursday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Avalanche.

The six goals allowed were a season-worst mark for the 25-year-old, who continues to struggle between the pipes even if he's had some decent outings from time to time. He's recorded a save percentage below the .800 mark in three of his last seven appearances, a stretch in which he's gone 3-3-1 with a 3.97 GAA and an .864 save percentage.

Hellebuyck stopped 20 of 24 shots in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Ducks.

Hellebuyck saw the end of his six-game winning streak Thursday, but at least he managed to extend his stretch of being undefeated in regulation to 11 contests. His most recent defeat in regulation came in a 4-1 loss to the Blues on Dec. 3, but since then, the 31-year-old netminder has gone 9-0-2 with a 1.88 GAA and a .928 save percentage in his last 11 appearances.

Gibson stopped 27 of 30 shots in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Jets.

Gibson made his first start since Dec. 20, when he allowed three goals in a 4-2 loss to the Avalanche, and earned his first victory since the 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Dec. 14. Gibson should remain as the backup for the time being, so his fantasy upside is limited, but his 2.93 GAA is decent considering his 13 appearances (6-5-1) and .906 save percentage, so it wouldn't be a shock to see him challenge for more opportunities. From a purely statistical perspective, he's having his best numbers since 2020-21.

Merzlikins made 21 saves in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Red Wings.

It was a bad night for the Blue Jackets' special teams units. Two of Detroit's goals were scored with the man advantage, while Jonatan Berggren's game-winner with 36 seconds left in the third period came on a breakaway as he stepped out of the penalty box at the end of the Columbus power play. Merzlikins has given up at least four goals in five of his last nine starts, stumbling to a 4-4-1 record with a 3.40 GAA and .877 save percentage over that stretch, but head coach Dean Evason seems content to keep him in the No. 1 spot in the crease for now.

Talbot made 21 saves in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Blue Jackets.

The Red Wings blew 3-1 and 4-3 leads on the night, but Talbot made just enough stops to get rewarded when Jonatan Berggren found the back of the net with 36 seconds left in regulation. It was the netminder's first victory since Nov. 27, snapping a winless streak that had seen Talbot go 0-5-0 over six outings with a 4.20 GAA and .861 save percentage. He will likely remain the clear No. 2 behind Alex Lyon without a more sustained run of success.