NHL Player News

Hellebuyck stopped 40 of 46 shots in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Avalanche in Game 1.

Hellebuyck was twice as busy as his Colorado counterpart Alexandar Georgiev, but the Jets' offense was more opportunistic. Hellebuyck allowed four or more goals in just 10 of his 60 regular-season appearances, posting a 2.39 GAA and a .921 save percentage in a Vezina-caliber campaign. The 30-year-old will need more stability from his defense to avoid turning every game into a track meet versus the Avalanche. Game 2 is Tuesday in Winnipeg.

Saros will get the starting nod in Vancouver on Sunday, Zach Gilchriest of the Predators' official site reports.

Saros gave up four goals in each of his final three starts of the regular season, posting an .874 save percentage during that span. He faced the Canucks twice this season, going 0-2-0 while allowing eight goals on just 48 shots in the process. He went 35-24-5 with a .906 save percentage and a 2.86 GAA through 64 games this season.

Shesterkin allowed a single goal on 21 Washington shots during Sunday's 4-1 Game 1 win.

The 2022 Vezina winner allowed just two goals on the last 61 shots he faced during the regular season. Shesterkin carried that momentum into Game 1, posting a .952 save percentage. While the Rangers haven't made it to the Cup finals with Shesterkin in net, he's been a strong playoff performer with a .929 save percentage and 14 wins through 29 career playoff games.

Lindgren stopped 27 of 31 shots in Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Rangers.

It was a disappointing start to the postseason after Lindgren helped the Caps to a surprising last-minute playoff berth by posting a .941 save percentage or better in four of the season's final five games. It might be a tough postseason for Lindgren and the bottom-seeded Caps. They were outshot 31 to 21 on Sunday.

Annunen (illness) will not dress Sunday against the Jets, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Arvid Holm will replace Annunen as Alexandar Georgiev's backup. Annunen went 8-4-1 with a 2.25 GAA and a .928 save percentage during the regular season. An update on his status should be available before Game 2 against Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Georgiev will get the starting nod for Game 1 in Winnipeg on Sunday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Despite his recent struggles and overall poor performance this season, Georgiev will continue to be the team's top option in goal. Over his final seven appearances during the regular season, he went 1-3-2 a 4.95 GAA and an .851 save percentage. That poor stretch led to him finishing the year with a lackluster 3.02 GAA and .897 save percentage through 63 games. Georgiev hasn't earned a road victory since March 16 in Edmonton.

Lindgren will defend the road net in Game 1 against the Rangers on Sunday, according to Colin Stephenson of Newsday.

Lindgren posted a 25-16-7 record with six shutouts, a 2.67 GAA and a .911 save percentage over 50 appearances in 2023-24. He also went 2-1-0 versus the Rangers, stopping 85 of 89 shots. The Rangers ranked seventh overall with 3.39 goals per contest during the regular season.

Shesterkin will guard the home net Sunday against the Capitals, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

Shesterkin finished the regular season strong, winning four of his last five starts with a .926 save percentage. He'll be back between the pipes for the Rangers' playoff opener Sunday against a Caps team that averaged 2.63 goals per game this year.

Demko was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, according to Thomas Drance of The Athletic, indicating will he patrol the home crease Sunday in Game 1 against Nashville.

Demko posted a 35-14-2 record with a 2.45 GAA and a .918 save percentage in 51 games during the regular season. He also went 1-1-0 with a .938 save percentage in two outings after returning to the lineup last Thursday from a knee injury. Demko stopped 43 of 47 shots en route to a mark of 2-0-0 versus the Predators in 2023-24. Nashville placed 10th in the league with 3.24 goals per contest during the regular season.

Silovs was recalled from AHL Abbotsford under emergency conditions Sunday.

Silovs will serve as Vancouver's emergency third goaltender behind Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith as the Canucks kick off their playoff run versus Nashville. The 23-year-old Silovs made four appearances at the NHL level this season, going 3-0-1 with an .881 save percentage and 2.47 GAA.