NHL Player News

Columbus head coach Dean Everson said Merzlikins is dealing with "bumps and bruises," Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

It doesn't like a serious injury, and the decision to sit Merzlikins on Monday ahead of the NHL Christmas break gives the goalie a four-day break. Jet Greaves started against the Canadiens on Monday and came away with a win. The Blue Jackets return to action Friday at home for the first of a home-and-home set against the Bruins.

Hellebuyck made 23 saves on 25 shots Monday in a 5-2 win over Toronto.

John Tavares beat him twice, but when the Maple Leafs turned up the heat late, Hellebuyck was his calm, cool, big-save self. He's on a four-game winning streak, and he's 7-0-1 in his last eight starts. Hellebuyck sits on top of the NHL in every category that matters. He has a 2.07 GAA and four shutouts, and he's tied with Anthony Stolarz for tops with a .927 save percentage. Hellebuyck has earned the Vezina Trophy twice in the last five years (2024, 2020), and he's on his way to a possible third. The last goalie to win at least three was the great Martin Brodeur who won four (2008, 2007, 2004, 2003).

Demko will tend the home twine Monday against the Sharks, according to Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com.

Demko's last start was in a 3-2 overtime loss to Utah on Dec. 18. The 29-year-old has a 1-1-2 record, .887 save percentage and 3.17 GAA through four appearances since making his return from a knee injury. The Sharks have a 2-6-1 record in December, and they rank 24th in the NHL with 2.72 goals per game this season.

Tokarski will be in the blue paint on the road Monday against the Predators, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Tokarski turned aside 27 of 28 shots in a 4-1 win over Columbus in his only start this season Dec. 15. The 35-year-old hasn't faced the Predators since the 2015-16 campaign when he was with Montreal. Nashville ranks last in the NHL with 2.32 goals per game.

Saros will guard the home crease versus the Hurricanes on Monday, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.

Saros will make his 28th appearance of the campaign Monday -- the Finnish netminder has a 7-14-6 record, .907 save percentage and 2.72 GAA through 27 outings. Saros will have his hands full against a Hurricanes club that is tied for fifth in the NHL with 3.52 goals per game.

Luukkonen will protect the road crease Monday against the Islanders, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.

Luukkonen is searching for his first win since Nov. 22 -- the Finnish netminder is 0-7-2 across his last nine appearances. He's allowed at least three goals in seven of his last eight starts. The Islanders rank 26th in the league with 2.65 goals per game, but they found the back of the net six times in a win over Toronto on Saturday. Luukkkonen has a 2-1-0 record with a .942 save percentage and a 1.69 GAA in three career appearances against New York.

Lindgren will patrol the road crease Monday against the Bruins, according to Mike Vogel of the Capitals' official site.

Lindgren made 24 saves on 25 shots in a 3-1 win over Carolina on Friday. The 31-year-old has allowed just six goals on 103 shots (.942 save percentage, 1.50 GAA) through four appearances in December, going 3-1-0 in that span. Lindgren has a favorable matchup against a Boston team that ranks 28th in the NHL with 2.60 goals per game.

Johansson will guard the road goal versus Florida on Monday, according to Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.

Johansson will get the second half of Tampa Bay's back-to-back after Andrei Vasilevskiy played in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Panthers. The 29-year-old Johansson has a 3-1-1 record with a 3.84 GAA and an .882 save percentage across six appearances this season. Florida sits fourth in the league with 3.54 goals per game in 2024-25.

Soderblom will defend the road net against the Wild on Monday, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Soderblom has stopped 76 of 82 shots during his three-game winning streak. He has a 5-7-1 record with a 2.56 GAA and a .913 save percentage through 13 appearances this season. Minnesota is tied for 19th in the league with 2.91 goals per game in 2024-25.

Bobrovsky will serve as the starting goaltender at home against the Lightning on Monday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Bobrovsky got the night off on the road against Tampa Bay on Sunday, but he'll tend the twine in the second half of the back-to-back set. The 36-year-old has picked up wins in five of his six starts this month, going 5-1-0 with a 2.11 GAA and .913 save percentage during that time. However, Bobrovsky will have his hands full during the Panthers' final game before the Christmas break, as the Lightning lead the league with 3.94 goals per game this season.