NHL Player News

Reimer made 26 saves in regulation and OT and stopped one of three shootout attempts in Monday's 6-5 loss to the Red Wings.

Buffalo took a 5-3 lead into the third period, but Reimer couldn't make it stick, giving up two goals on 12 shots as Detroit turned up the pressure, and he then got fooled by dekes to his blocker side in the shootout by both Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin. Reimer is 1-1-1 in three appearances since joining the Sabres with an .892 save percentage, and he's little threat to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at the top of the depth chart.

Varlamov (lower body) won't be in the lineup versus the Kings on Tuesday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Varlamov's last start came Nov. 29 against the Capitals in which he gave up five goals on 26 shots (.808 save percentage). Starter Ilya Sorokin has been performing well of late -- going 3-1-1 with a 2.34 GAA in his last five -- but it seems likely Varlamov would have been given at least one of the team's last five games if he was available. Until Varlamov is cleared to play, Marcus Hogberg figures to serve as the No. 2 option.

Sorokin is expected to get the starting nod at home against Los Angeles on Tuesday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Sorokin will make his sixth straight start, having gone 3-1-1 with a 2.34 GAA and one shutout. Given his strong run of play, it's possible Sorokin would have featured in each of the previous five contests anyway, but the injury to Semyon Varlamov (upper body) has left the Islanders will little choice than to roll with Sorokin in the crease. If they do decide to rest Sorokin -- which the Isles don't need to do with no back-to-back before the Christmas break -- it would fall to Marcus Hogberg to give Sorokin a night off.

Cossa stopped 12 of 14 shots in regulation and overtime, plus two of three shootout attempts, in Monday's 6-5 win over the Sabres.

Ville Husso got the start for Detroit but gave up three goals on seven shots in the first period before getting the hook. Cossa took over to begin the second with the Wings down 3-2, and while it was a tough spot in which to make his NHL debut, the 22-year-old held his own and shut the Sabres down completely in the third period and OT before getting rewarded with a shootout win. Given Husso's struggles as the No. 1 while Cam Talbot (lower body) and Alex Lyon (lower body) have been sidelined, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Cossa make his first career NHL start Thursday in Philadelphia if Talbot isn't ready to return.

Husso allowed three goals on seven shots before being replaced by Sebastian Cossa to begin the second period of Monday's 6-5 shootout win over the Sabres.

While the netminder didn't have much chance on the last two goals, Zach Benson's tally just 98 seconds into the game definitely qualified as a softie, as Husso got a clean look at a long-range shot but simply left too much of a gap at the near post. Husso has started five straight games but failed to come away with a win in any of them, going 0-2-2 with a 3.31 GAA and an .889 save percentage. If Cam Talbot (lower body) isn't ready to return Thursday in Philadelphia, it wouldn't be a surprise should Cossa get the nod for his first career NHL start.

Poulter was recalled from AHL Utica on Tuesday.

Poulter's promotion is a good indication that Jake Allen (undisclosed) won't be available to serve as the backup against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. With no back-to-backs before the Christmas break, Poulter is unlikely to see any NHL action, instead serving as the reserve option behind Jacob Markstrom.

Dostal will be between the pipes for Monday's road matchup with the Canadiens.

Dostal will make his 16th appearance of the season Monday -- the 24-year-old is sporting a 6-7-2 record, .921 save percentage and 2.73 GAA. Dostal has won two of his last three appearances after going 0-4-1 in his previous five starts. Montreal sits 23rd in the NHL with 2.78 goals per game through 27 contests.

Reimer will patrol the home crease Monday against the Red Wings, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.

Reimer's last appearance came in a 3-0 loss to the Islanders on Nov. 30. The 36-year-old conceded nine goals over two starts with Anaheim, but he's been better after being claimed off waivers by Buffalo -- he has a 1-1-0 record, 2.05 GAA and .923 save percentage through two appearances with the Sabres. Reimer has a favorable matchup against a Detroit club that ranks 29th in the NHL with 2.48 goals per game through 27 contests.

Wedgewood is slated to serve as the starting netminder for Tuesday's road game against the Penguins, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.

Although the Avalanche traded for Mackenzie Blackwood on Monday, it isn't very surprising to see Wedgewood get the start Tuesday since Blackwood is feeling under the weather and won't join the team in Pittsburgh. Wedgewood has been productive over his first three appearances with Colorado, posting a 2-1-0 record, 1.44 GAA and .951 save percentage.

Miner was summoned from AHL Colorado on Monday.

Miner will probably be Scott Wedgewood's backup in Tuesday's road game against Pittsburgh because Mackenzie Blackwood (illness) will be unavailable. The 23-year-old Miner has a 5-4-2 record with a 2.69 GAA and an .895 save percentage in 11 minor-league appearances this season. He made 12 saves on 13 shots in a relief appearance for the Avalanche on Nov. 15 against Washington during a 5-2 loss.