NHL Player News

Luukkonen (undisclosed) is healthy and available, allowing the team to send Devon Levi down to the minors, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Luukkonen missed Buffalo's last two games due to his undisclosed injury but should be available to play again. The 25-year-old netminder hasn't been confirmed as the starter for Wednesday's matchup with the Kings, but fantasy managers can probably expect him to feature in that one before splitting the back-to-back against the Ducks and Sharks on Friday and Saturday, respectively, with James Reimer.

Askarov was recalled from AHL San Jose on Monday.

Askarov was sent to the minors ahead of the regular season, but he'll join the NHL club after Vitek Vanecek (undisclosed) sustained an injury Saturday against the Penguins. Askarov is the best goaltending prospect in pro hockey and has gotten off to a hot start in the AHL this season, posting a 6-3-0 record, 1.92 GAA and .939 save percentage over nine games. Mackenzie Blackwood and Vanecek have been inconsistent early in the 2024-25 campaign, so it's possible that Askarov sticks with the Sharks if he performs well in the near future.

Gustavsson will patrol the blue paint on the road versus St. Louis on Tuesday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Gustavsson has suffered just one regulation loss in his last four outings but that defeat could probably be laid at the feet of his offense considering the netminder stopped 38 of 40 shots (.950 save percentage). With the backstop already having earned eight victories this year, he should easily top his personal best of 22 wins from the 2022-23 campaign.

Lindgren will defend the cage on the road versus Utah on Monday, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.

Lindgren takes the second game of the Caps' back-to-back after Logan Thompson started versus Vegas on Sunday. It's been a middling start to the campaign for the 30-year-old Lindgren, as he is 4-4-0 with a 2.66 GAA and .897 save percentage through eight appearances. Meanwhile, Thompson is undefeated in regulation, going 8-0-1 in nine contests. While the duo have been splitting the workload, Lindgren could be in danger of conceding more starts to Thompson as the season progresses.

Ingram will patrol the home crease Monday against Washington, according to Cole Bagley of KSL Sports.

During his last outing, Ingram stopped 17 of 20 shots in a 4-0 loss to Nashville on Nov. 9. He has a 6-3-3 record with a 3.40 GAA and an .879 save percentage across 12 appearances this campaign. Washington is coming off a 5-2 win over Vegas on Sunday and ranks first in the league with 4.24 goals per game in 2024-25.

DeSmith will be between the pipes at home versus Anaheim on Monday, Brian Rea of FanDuel Sports Network Southwest reports.

DeSmith will get the surprise start after No. 1 Jake Oettinger was working in the starter's crease at Monday's game-day skate. It's the first start for the 33-year-old DeSmith since Nov. 2 against the Panthers, with his only other appearance during November having come in relief. On the year, DeSmith is 2-2-1 while sporting a career-best 1.79 GAA, but he shouldn't be expected to see a ton of opportunities this year behind the workhorse Oettinger.

Skinner will tend the twine for Tuesday's road game at Ottawa, Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels reports.

With Calvin Pickard already named the starter for Monday's matchup with Montreal, the decision to go with Skinner for the second game of the back-to-back shouldn't come as a surprise. While the 26-year-old Skinner has managed a 2-1-1 record in his last four outings, he's also given up at least three goals in each of those contests. Still, he figures to remain the No. 1 option in Edmonton unless Pickard can string together some strong performances.

Pickard will guard the road goal Monday versus the Canadiens, according to Tony Brar of Oilers TV.

Pickard is coming off a 20-save effort in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over Nashville. He has a 4-2-0 record with a 2.49 GAA and an .890 save percentage through seven appearances this season. Montreal is tied for 19th in the league with 2.83 goals per game in 2024-25.

Levi will be sent down to AHL Rochester after head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Monday, "He needs to play, simple as that."

Levi became the odd man out after the team reacquired James Reimer off the waiver wire. The 22-year-old Levi has made seven appearances for the Sabres this season but is just 2-5-0 with a 3.95 GAA in those outings. With Levi headed back to the Americans, it will be Reimer who serves as the No. 2 option behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (undisclosed).

Merzlikins will get the starting nod on the road against Boston on Monday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Merzlikins has won just once in his last five outings, posting a 1-3-1 record to go with a 3.60 GAA in that span. Historically, the Latvian backstop has put up decent numbers versus Boston, going 2-2-2 with a .924 save percentage and one shutout in six career matchups. Perhaps he can celebrate Latvian Independence Day with a victory.