NHL Player News

Johansson (undisclosed) won't suit up Wednesday versus the Rangers, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Johansson will be out for a second straight game. The 30-year-old netminder will have his next chance to return in Game 1 of the playoffs versus the Canadiens. Johansson will likely be the backup once he's healthy, as Andrei Vasilevskiy will see the vast majority of the playing time for the Lightning's postseason run.

Vasilevskiy will not start Wednesday's home game versus the Rangers as previously expected, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Vasilevskiy appeared to be the starter after he was the first goalie off the ice at Wednesday's morning skate, but the Lightning have seemingly changed their plans. With Jonas Johansson (undisclosed) unavailable, Vasilevskiy will be Brandon Halverson's backup in Tampa Bay's regular-season finale.

Halverson will start at home versus the Rangers on Wednesday, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Halverson will get the nod after Andrei Vasilevskiy was initially expected to start. This is unlikely to be an injury-related issue -- Halverson is up with the team because Jonas Johansson (undisclosed) is unavailable. Halverson made a brief relief appearance Dec. 13 versus the Islanders but has otherwise spent the bulk of the campaign in the AHL.

Ellis will start at home versus the Stars on Wednesday, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports.

Ellis will get the nod in Buffalo's regular-season finale. He'll likely open the postseason as backup to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, while Alex Lyon (lower body) is on the mend. Ellis earned his first career shutout in his last start, a 37-save effort Thursday versus the Blue Jackets.

Hart will tend the twine at home versus Seattle on Wednesday, Hannah Kirkell of The Hockey News reports.

Hart is riding a five-game winning streak during which he has posted a 1.80 GAA and .925 save percentage. Fantasy managers can expect the 27-year-old Hart to lead the Golden Knights into the postseason, while Adin Hill shifts to the No. 2 role.

Wolf stopped 35 of 37 shots in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Avalanche. The third goal was an empty-netter with 17 seconds left in the game.

Despite a 1-2-0 record in his last three outings, Wolf has played well while stopping 102 of 107 shots. He has a 23-29-3 record this campaign with a 3.01 GAA and an .899 save percentage. The Flames conclude their 2025-26 regular-season schedule against the Kings on Thursday.

Blackwood stopped 30 of 31 shots in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Flames.

Blackwood has been inconsistent down the stretch, posting a 2-2-1 record with a 3.07 GAA and an .892 save percentage over his past six outings. He has gone 23-10-2 this season with a 2.50 GAA and a .904 save percentage across 38 appearances. It's unclear whether Blackwood or Scott Wedgewood will start the first game of the playoffs.

Askarov is expected to start on the road against Chicago on Wednesday, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Askarov has a 21-19-4 record, 3.59 GAA and .885 save percentage in 46 outings this season. He's allowed at least three goals in each of his past five outings. Chicago has gone 7-17-7 while averaging just 2.23 goals per game across its past 31 matches.

Wallstedt stopped 35 of 37 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Ducks.

Wallstedt has been alternating starts with Filip Gustavsson down the stretch. The 23-year-old Wallstedt has played when called upon this campaign. He has won four of his last five starts, going 4-1-0 with a 1.82 GAA and a .936 save percentage over that span. Wallstedt is a viable option to see playing time in the playoffs if Gustavsson struggles.

Dostal stopped 17 of 20 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Wild.

Dostal has been slumping of late, earning only one win in his last seven starts. During that span, he has gone 1-5-1 with a 3.72 GAA and a subpar .850 save percentage. He has a 30-20-4 record with a 3.10 GAA and an .888 save percentage across 56 appearances this season.