NHL Player News

Kuemper made 23 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Predators on Saturday.

The Kings were flat for the first two-and-a-half periods, and Kuemper kept things close until his teammates woke up. However, he got caught out of the crease in OT, and Nick Blankenburg had an easy open net to get the winner. Kuemper and David Rittich have started 16 games apiece, but Kuemper has played in six of the last seven contests. Kuemper's .911 save percentage is also significantly better than Rittich's .890, but they have similar GAAs, with Kuemper sitting at 2.40 and Rittich at 2.49. Los Angeles is a strong team, and both goalies will perform well when given the chance to play, but Kuemper should see the bulk of the starts now that he's healthy.

Annunen made 22 saves in a 3-2 overtime win over Los Angeles on Saturday.

Annunen held a shutout until the 9:24 mark of the third when Quinton Byfield rifled a snap shot past him from the slot. A few minutes later, Alex Laferriere stuffed in a rebound with the extra attacker on the ice during a delayed penalty. Annunen has been excellent in a backup role in Nashville. He is 2-1-0 with a 1.67 GAA and a .944 save percentage in three games. Annunen has plenty of upside as a spot starter but still could be used sparingly behind Juuse Saros.

Hellebuyck is set to start at home against the Wild on Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Hellebuyck has won five of his past six starts while stopping 154 of 167 shots (.922 save percentage). For others, that would be a hot streak, but for Hellebuyck, it's business as usual. He has a 20-5-1 record, 2.15 GAA and .926 save percentage across 26 appearances in 2024-25. Minnesota is tied for 17th in goals per game with 3.00.

Lyon will guard the road net against Montreal on Saturday.

Lyon will get the second half of Detroit's back-to-back after Cam Talbot played in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Canadiens. The 32-year-old Lyon has a 5-4-0 record with one shutout, a 2.88 GAA and a .903 save percentage through 10 appearances this season. Montreal sits 22nd in the league with 2.84 goals per game in 2024-25.

Woll is set to start at home against the Islanders on Saturday, per David Alter of The Hockey News.

Woll has a 9-4-0 record, 2.30 GAA and .918 save percentage in 13 appearances in 2024-25. He stopped 36 of 39 shots en route to a 5-3 victory over Dallas in his last start Wednesday. The Islanders rank 28th in goals per game with 2.55.

Although it appeared Luukkonen would start in Saturday's road game against Boston, James Reimer will get the nod instead, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

Luukkonen allowed four goals on 13 shots across 24:27 of ice time in Buffalo's 6-3 loss to Toronto on Friday. Reimer also played in that game, logging 33:26 while stopping 14 of 15 shots. Luukkonen has an 8-11-3 record, 3.12 GAA and .892 save percentage in 23 outings in 2024-25.

Reimer will defend the road net against Boston on Saturday, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.

Despite a previous report, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen won't start again, and Reimer will play in the second half of Buffalo's back-to-back following Friday's 6-3 loss to Toronto. Reimer has a 1-3-1 record with a 3.21 GAA and an .888 save percentage in seven appearances between the Ducks and Sabres this season. Boston sits 27th in the league with 2.59 goals per game in 2024-25.

Montembeault will patrol the home crease against Detroit on Saturday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Montembeault is coming off a 25-save performance in Friday's 4-3 win over the Red Wings. He has posted a record of 11-13-2 with three shutouts, a 2.93 GAA and a .901 save percentage in 26 appearances this season. Detroit sits 25th in the league with 2.69 goals per game in 2024-25.

Merzlikins will defend the road net against the Flyers on Saturday, per Adam Kimelman of NHL.com.

Merzlikins is coming off a 40-save performance in Thursday's 4-2 win over New Jersey. He has a 10-9-2 record with one shutout, a 3.05 GAA and an .891 save percentage across 21 appearances this season. Philadelphia sits 20th in the league with 2.94 goals per game in 2024-25.

Wolf will patrol the home crease against Chicago on Saturday, according to Derek Wills of Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

Wolf is coming off a 31-save effort in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to Boston. He has a 9-5-2 record with two shutouts, a 2.72 GAA and a .913 save percentage through 16 appearances this season. Chicago sits 29th in the league with 2.52 goals per game in 2024-25.