NHL Player News

Grubauer turned aside 28 shots in Monday's 5-2 win over Utah.

The veteran netminder had a rough start to the season and remains a little shaky, but Grubauer is at least getting more help from the Kraken's offense of late. He's started seven of Seattle's last 11 games and gone 4-3-0 despite a 3.46 GAA and an .892 save percentage, getting at least five goals of support in four of those contests, including each of the last two.

Vejmelka stopped 28 of 32 shots in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Kraken, with Seattle's final goal getting scored into an empty net.

While his numbers looked shaky, Vejmelka has little chance on any of the pucks that got past him, including Jaden Schwartz's game-winner in the third period on a clean breakaway. Vejmelka has lost three straight starts, and the heavy workload he's been handling while Connor Ingram (upper body) is on the shelf may be wearing him down. Vejmelka has started 10 of Utah's 12 games in December, going 5-4-1 with a 2.40 GAA and a .915 save percentage.

Hellebuyck made 22 saves in Monday's 3-0 win over the Predators.

It was the NHL-leading 24th win and fifth shutout of the season for Hellebuyck, who hasn't taken a regulation loss in nearly a month. Over his last 10 outings, he's gone 9-0-1 with a dazzling 1.68 GAA and a .937 save percentage as he aims to become the first repeat Vezina Trophy winner since Martin Brodeur in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Saros turned aside 25 shots in Monday's 3-0 loss to the Jets.

He kept Winnipeg off the board for the entire first period and most of the second, but Nashville wasn't able to solve Connor Hellebuyck in the other crease, so Saros had no margin for error. The 29-year-old netminder has allowed at least three goals in seven of nine December outings, going 2-6-1 with a 3.29 GAA and an .880 save percentage while working behind a Predators blue-line corps that's been leaky even when at full strength.

Merzlikins will be between the home pipes against the Hurricanes on Tuesday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Merzlikins has gone 2-0-1 with a 2.94 GAA and a .908 save percentage over his last three starts, and he'll tend the twine for the fourth time in the Blue Jackets' last six games. He'll have a formidable foe in the final game of the calendar year, as the Hurricanes rank fifth in the NHL with 3.47 goals per game this season.

Lyon is expected to serve as the starting goaltender for Tuesday's game against the Penguins, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Lyon drew the start Sunday against Washington and turned aside 25 of 27 shots (.926 save percentage) en route to the victory. He's been inconsistent over four appearances since returning from a lower-body injury, posting a 2-1-0 record, 3.31 GAA and .847 save percentage.

Bobrovsky made 33 saves in Monday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

He was the busier of the two goalies, and Bobrovsky squandered 2-0 and 3-2 leads, but he came up with enough big stops to secure his 17th victory of the season. Since returning to the Panthers following the birth of his child earlier this month, Bobrovsky has gone 6-2-0 in eight starts with a 2.34 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

Thompson will serve as the starting netminder for Tuesday's home game against the Bruins, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

Thompson and Charlie Lindgren have alternated starts recently, and that trend will continue Tuesday. Thompson has been productive in his recent outings, going 4-1-0 with a 2.01 GAA and a .924 save percentage across his last five starts. Boston is averaging just 2.66 goals per game this season, which is the seventh-worst mark in the league, so Thompson will have a favorable matchup Tuesday.

Shesterkin stopped 21 of 25 shots in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Panthers, with Florida's final goal getting scored into an empty net.

The Rangers came out flat once again, giving up two goals in the first six minutes -- both on shots that were deflected before they got to Shesterkin. The Panthers' other two tallies came after the netminder had made a big initial stop, only for Florida to get second or even third chances. Shesterkin is 1-5-0 over his last six starts with a 3.97 GAA and an .883 save percentage, but his slump has far more to do with the play of the team in front of him than his own performance.

Primeau cleared waivers Sunday and will report to AHL Laval, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports.

Primeau was placed on waivers Saturday after posting a 4.69 GAA and .836 save percentage. Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis lost confidence in the 25-year-old goalie, whose last start was Dec. 1. Jakub Dobes, who was called up from AHL Laval to replace Primeau, shut out the Panthers in his NHL debut Saturday.