NHL Player News

Merzlikins is now being considered out short-term with an upper-body injury, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports.

Merzlikins doesn't sound like he'll be available Thursday to face the Sabres, but it's unclear how long he'll be out beyond that. The 30-year-old goalie has gone 0-2-0 with seven goals allowed on 48 shots over his first two games of the season. Daniil Tarasov figures to see an uptick in playing time since the Blue Jackets don't have a back-to-back over the next week.

Merzlikins is questionable for Thursday's home game against Buffalo because of what's been described as physical fatigue, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports Wednesday.

Merzlikins has stopped 41 of 48 shots (.854 save percentage) across two starts this season, including a 4-3 loss to Florida on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets have already recalled goaltender Jet Greaves, so if Merzlikins isn't available Thursday, then Greaves will dress, likely as the understudy of Daniil Tarasov.

Ingram is expected to guard the road goal in Wednesday's game against Anaheim, per Derek Lee of The Hockey News.

Ingram has won his first three starts of the season, though that was in large part thanks to him receiving significant offensive support. He has allowed 11 goals on 87 shots (.874 save percentage) across those three starts. Anaheim is 1-1-0 while surrendering a combined three goals over two contests this season.

Head coach Greg Cronin said that Dostal will start in the home crease for Wednesday's game against Utah, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Dostal served as the Opening Night starter for the Ducks on the road against San Jose on Saturday, and he posted a 30-save shutout in the win. He'll attempt to build momentum Wednesday while John Gibson (abdomen) remains on injured reserve.

Head coach Travis Green said Wednesday that Ullmark (strain) is progressing in his recovery and could play in Thursday's home game against the Devils, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Ullmark has been dealing with a muscle strain in recent days, but it's encouraging that he'll be in the mix to return to action Thursday. Even if he isn't able to suit up against the Devils, it doesn't appear as though he'll be sidelined for a significant period of time.

Talbot is expected to start in Thursday's home game against the Rangers, per Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.

Talbot earned a 42-save shutout in Detroit's 3-0 victory over Nashville on Saturday. The Rangers will be a challenging adversary -- they're 2-0-1 and have scored at least four goals in each of those contests.

Rittich will serve as the starting goalie for Wednesday's road matchup against Toronto, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.

Rittich will make his first start of the regular season Wednesday since Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is considered day-to-day. Rittich made 24 appearances in the NHL last year and logged a 13-6-3 record, 2.15 GAA and .921 save percentage. Pheonix Copley will serve as the backup goaltender Wednesday and could draw the start in Thursday's road game against Montreal if Rittich doesn't start in both ends of the back-to-back.

Kuemper is dealing with a lower-body injury that will sideline him against Toronto on Wednesday, Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reports.

While head coach Jim Hiller described Kuemper as day-to-day, he probably should be considered doubtful to start against Montreal on Thursday in the second half of a back-to-back. With David Rittich taking the first game versus the Leafs, that would potentially open the door for Pheonix Copley to get the nod Thursday. After a decent first two games to open the 2024-25 campaign, the 34-year-old Kuemper was absolutely rocked by Ottawa on Monday, giving up eight goals on 41 shots (.805 save percentage) -- though he still earned his team a point with the overtime defeat.

Copley was recalled on an emergency basis from AHL Ontario on Wednesday.

Copley was sent to the minors ahead of the regular season, but he'll rejoin the NHL club since Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is considered day-to-day. David Rittich will start in the road net against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, but it's possible that Copley starts Thursday's road matchup against Montreal.

Saros allowed six goals on 34 shots in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to the Kraken.

Saros kept his team in the contest until the Kraken exploded for four goals in the third period, one of which was an empty-netter. Through two games, Saros sports an 0-2-0 record, 4.19 GAA and an .855 save percentage. The 29-year-old was dealing with a lower-body injury to start the campaign and missed the season-opener, so it's possible that could be attributed to his slow start. Saros' next chance to rebound will come in a home matchup against the Oilers on Thursday.