NHL Player News

Stolarz is expected to protect the home net Monday against Tampa Bay, per Dave McCarthy of NHL.com.

Stolarz will make his fourth straight start for the Maple Leafs after winning two of his previous three outings. He has a 2-2-0 record in four appearances this season, stopping 104 of 111 shots. Tampa Bay has compiled 16 goals in four games this campaign.

Vanecek allowed three goals on 21 shots in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Avalanche. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.

The Sharks actually played a decent defensive game in front of Vanecek, but a pair of Ross Colton tallies in the first period would be all the Avalanche needed. Vanecek remains winless (0-3-0) with 11 goals allowed on 95 shots over four appearances this season. The Sharks have an 0-4-2 record through six games as a team, and the crease situation could be a win-and-stay-in or a straight alternating pattern. By any token, it's likely Mackenzie Blackwood gets the nod Tuesday in Anaheim, while Vanecek should be penciled in for Thursday's game in Los Angeles.

Annunen stopped 25 of 26 shots in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Sharks.

Annunen made his first start of the season after appearing in relief in the first two games of the year. The 24-year-old had little trouble with the Sharks, allowing just a William Eklund power-play goal in the first period. Annunen has given up five goals on 43 shots over his three appearances, going 1-1-0. The Avalanche's slow start is well-documented, but each of Annunen and Alexandar Georgiev have won their most recent outing. The Avalanche visit the Kraken on Tuesday.

Dostal allowed two goals on 35 shots in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Kings. The last two goals were empty-netters.

The final score doesn't do justice to Dostal's performance in keeping this game close for two-plus periods. The Ducks were able to get one goal back with Dostal on the bench, but the Kings responded with their two empty-netters to send the 24-year-old to his first regulation loss. He's allowed 10 goals on 144 shots while going 2-1-1 over four starts this season. The Ducks' defense still has obvious flaws, but Dostal's workload and performance make him particularly valuable in formats that reward saves or shots against. The Ducks' next game is Tuesday versus the Sharks.

Rittich stopped 14 of 15 shots in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Ducks.

Rittich started for the third straight game, and he's won his last two outings. The 32-year-old had a shutout going until Ryan Strome scored at 18:16 of the third period. Rittich continues to fill in as the Kings' top goalie while Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is sidelined. With his recent success, Rittich figures to get the nod at Vegas on Tuesday.

Annunen will be in the blue paint for Sunday's road contest against the Sharks, according to Max Miller of NHL.com.

Annunen will make his first start of the 2024-25 campaign, though he's appeared in two contests in relief of Alexandar Georgiev. Annunen will face a San Jose club that is averaging 2.20 goals for per game over five outings.

Dostal will be between the pipes for Sunday's home tilt against the Kings, according to Eric Stephens of The Athletic.

Dostal will make his fourth start Sunday, and he's been solid through three games with a 2-0-1 record, .927 save percentage and 2.64 GAA. The 24-year-old has faced at least 30 shots in every game he's appeared in. The Kings are averaging 3.40 goals for per game to start the 2024-25 campaign.

Rittich will guard the road crease versus Anaheim on Sunday, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.

Rittich will make his third start of the season -- he's 1-1-0 with an .878 save percentage and a 3.25 GAA in two appearances. The 32-year-old is Los Angeles' de facto No. 1 netminder while Darcy Kuemper recovers from a lower-body injury. Anaheim is averaging 2.75 goals for per game across four contests.

Nedeljkovic allowed five goals on 36 shots in Sunday's 6-3 loss versus Winnipeg. The Jets' final goal was an empty-netter.

Nedeljkovic made his first appearance of the 2024-25 campaign after sustaining a lower-body injury in a preseason contest against Detroit on Sept. 30. The 28-year-old wasn't given much help in front of him, but Winnipeg boasts a strong offense, having scored 24 goals across its first five games. Nedeljkovic will have a chance to grab the No. 1 netminding gig with Tristan Jarry struggling to start the season.

Comrie made 39 saves on 42 shots in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Penguins.

Comrie faced a large workload in his first start of the season -- Winnipeg and Pittsburgh combined for 78 shots in the game. The 29-year-old allowed one goal on the power play and two at even strength. Comrie won't get many starts, but Connor Hellebuyck's backup could be a solid option in favorable matchups with Winnipeg sporting a 5-0-0 record to start the 2024-25 campaign.