NHL Player News

DeSmith will patrol the home crease Tuesday in Game 2 against Nashville, according to Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650.

DeSmith will get the nod after Thatcher Demko (undisclosed) was injured following Sunday's series-opening victory over the Predators. DeSmith filled in admirably as the Canucks' No. 1 netminder during the regular season when Demko was out due to a knee injury. The 32-year-old DeSmith posted a 12-9-6 record with a 2.89 GAA and an .895 save percentage in 29 appearances. He also stopped 26 shots in a 5-2 win over Nashville on Dec. 19.

Bobrovsky will defend the home cage against the Lightning in Game 2 on Tuesday.

Bobrovsky faced just 19 shots in Game 1, stopping 17 of them on the way to an .895 save percentage. Despite posting a sub-900 save percentage, the 35-year-old Russian still managed to secure an important victory for the Cats -- extending his winning streak to three contests. Barring an injury, Bobrovsky should be between the crease for every game in the playoffs.

Demko is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and won't play in Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Predators, Canucks rinkside reporter Kate Pettersen reports.

Demko was solid in Sunday's Game 1, stopping 20 of 22 shots en route to a 4-2 win over Nashville. The good news is Demko's undisclosed injury isn't related to the knee issue that kept him out from March 13-April 13. The bad news is the Canucks will be without their No. 1 netminder for at least one playoff contest and potentially more. Casey DeSmith will take over for Vancouver between the pipes until Demko is ready to return.

Annunen (illness) will not be in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Tuesday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Annunen probably had a decent chance to start Game 2, but his continued illness will see him once again missing from the bench. In the meantime, Ivan Prosvetov will serve as the No. 2 option behind Alexandar Georgiev against the Jets on Tuesday. If Georgiev struggles again, after giving up seven goals on 23 shots in Game 1, Annunen could challenge for the starting gig, provided he's healthy enough to play in Game 3 on Friday.

Georgiev is on track to guard the road goal during Tuesday's Game 2 versus Winnipeg, per John Lu of TSN.

Georgiev was horrendous in Game 1 on Sunday, allowing seven goals on just 23 shots en route to a 7-6 loss. If Georgiev struggles again in Game 2, the Avalanche could consider starting Justus Annunen (illness) or Ivan Prosvetov in Friday's Game 3.

Hellebucyk is slated to be between the home pipes for Game 2 against the Avalanche on Tuesday, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.

Hellebuyck is riding a six-game winning streak, which includes a crucial victory in the series opener despite giving up six goals on 46 shots (.870 save percentage). Considering the 30-year-old goalie is the heavy favorite to take home the Vezina Trophy as the league's top netminder, there is little chance of him being dropped from the starting role as long as the Jets are in the playoffs.

Fedotov agreed to terms on a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension with Philadelphia on Tuesday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.

Fedotov played just three games for the Flyers this season after coming over from the KHL, going 0-1-1 with a 4.96 GAA and .811 save percentage. With an extension in hand, it seems Fedotov and Samuel Ersson will battle it out for the starting gig during training camp in the fall.

Talbot allowed six goals on 44 shots in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Oilers in Game 1. The seventh goal was an empty-netter.

Talbot has allowed three or more goals in five of his last six games, making him lucky to escape with three wins in that span. The 36-year-old could be in for a tough series if the Kings' defense can't figure out how to contain the Oilers' many talented forwards. Talbot has earned the chance to be the postseason starter, but David Rittich could get a look if Talbot struggles in Wednesday's Game 2.

Skinner stopped 33 of 37 shots in Monday's 7-4 win over the Kings in Game 1.

The Oilers jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the Kings got on the board, so Skinner's ability to protect the lead was never in question. The 25-year-old went 36-16-5 with a 2.62 GAA and a .905 save percentage over 59 contests as a full-time starter during the regular season. Skinner will benefit from the offense in front of him, though the Oilers' defensive issues could spell trouble for the netminder down the line. Game 2 is Wednesday in Edmonton.

Oettinger allowed four goals on 15 shots in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1.

Oettinger turned in one of his worst efforts of the season, though two of the Golden Knights' four goals came on the power play. Oettinger is no stranger to dropping a Game 1 -- he lost all three of the Stars' series-opening contests during the team's run to the Western Conference Finals last year. He'll likely be given a chance to bounce back Wednesday in Game 2.