NHL Player News

Blomqvist was the first goalie off the ice Friday, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports, indicating he'll be in goal at home versus Carolina.

Blomqvist will look to build off Wednesday's 26-save relief performance versus the Sabres in which he helped the Pens secure a come-from-behind overtime victory. To open the season, the 22-year-old backstop is 2-1-0 with a 2.86 GAA and .913 save percentage while significantly outplaying Tristan Jarry. At this point, Blomqvist could see the bulk of the workload until Alex Nedeljkovic (lower body) returns from a conditioning assignment.

Woll (lower body) is participating in a full practice Friday, Dave McCarthy of NHL.com reports.

This is Woll's first full practice since he was placed on injured reserve Oct. 8. The netminder was set to share the net with Anthony Stolarz this season, and should do so upon his return. Woll was 12-11-1 with a 2.93 GAA and a .907 save percentage in 25 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, but those numbers should improve this season, as the Maple Leafs are stronger defensively in 2024-25. Look for Dennis Hildeby to return to AHL Toronto when Woll is activated.

Tarasov stopped 20 shots in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Sabres.

The Blue Jackets never trailed in the game, taking a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, but Tarasov's play didn't let his team get too comfortable either. The 25-year-old has won each of his first two starts this season, but he's given up eight goals on 54 shots and needed plenty of offensive support each time. With Elvis Merzlikins (upper body) banged up at the moment, Jet Greaves could get a turn between the pipes for Saturday's home game against the Wild.

Levi made 19 saves in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jackets.

The Sabres never led in the game, looking sluggish after their overtime loss to the Penguins on Wednesday and falling into a 2-0 hole before the first intermission. Levi had allowed just five goals on 62 shots in his first two starts of the season, but while the bad night is likely more indicative of the play of his teammates, Columbus clearly had a book on the young netminder and consistently targeted him glove side. Expect Buffalo to turn back to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for Saturday's game in Chicago.

Forsberg turned aside 32 shots in Thursday's 3-1 loss to New Jersey.

After a scoreless first period, the Devils' offense got rolling in the second, but the Senators didn't get on the board until Brady Tkachuk found a power-play tally with 65 seconds left in the final frame. Forsberg has made two starts in place of Linus Ullmark (muscle strain) and stumbled to an .864 save percentage, so if Ottawa's new No. 1 isn't ready to go Saturday against Tampa Bay, Mads Sogaard could get the nod in the crease instead.

Markstrom made 30 saves in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Senators.

The veteran netminder appeared headed for his 21st career shutout until Brady Tkachuk scored through traffic on the power play with 65 seconds left in the third period. Markstrom has had a strong start to his New Jersey tenure, going 3-2-0 in five starts with a 2.42 GAA and .918 save percentage and providing the Devils with the stability between the pipes they lacked last season.

Ersson allowed a goal on five shots in relief of Ivan Fedotov in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Kraken.

Ersson is expected to start Saturday against the Canucks as well, so it's a little surprising he got any action in Thursday's contest. The 24-year-old has been the better of the Flyers' two goalies so far, allowing seven goals on 62 shots while going 1-0-1 over three appearances. Ersson is not a must-have goalie in fantasy, but he may get to that status if he sees a substantial workload, though fantasy managers may be better off streaming him for favorable matchups.

Fedotov allowed five goals on 24 shots over two periods of Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Kraken.

Fedotov got the hook after the Kraken ran away with the game by virtue of an eruption of goals late in the second period. The 27-year-old hasn't looked good in his two starts this season, giving up 10 goals on 55 shots. Samuel Ersson has at least kept the Flyers competitive, and he may soon run away with the No. 1 job in goal. Ersson played the third period Thursday and is slated to start Saturday's home opener versus the Canucks.

Grubauer stopped 21 of 25 shots in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Flyers.

Grubauer finally got some goal support, and he needed it. A four-goal explosion in the second period lifted the Kraken to the win, which was their first victory with Grubauer between the pipes this season. He's allowed nine goals on 73 shots over his three starts. So far, Seattle has alternated between Grubauer and Joey Daccord -- if that continues, Daccord is penciled in to start versus the Flames on Saturday, while Grubauer would get his former team, the Avalanche, on Tuesday.

Vanecek gave up four goals on 27 shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks.

Chicago had three goals less than 21 minutes into the game, and that was enough to send Vanecek to his second loss in as many starts. While the Sharks remain winless, they've played a bit better in front of Mackenzie Blackwood so far. Both goalies will likely get their looks between the pipes since the Sharks are still in rebuilding mode. Look for Blackwood to start Friday versus the Jets.