NHL Player News

Hellebuyck made 25 saves in a 4-2 win over Minnesota on Saturday.

Kirill Kaprizov beat him twice, but that was it. Hellebuyck is the heart of the Jets and in a class of his own in the NHL. He has the third-best GAA (2.41) and second-best save percentage (.920) among qualified netminders this season. With the postseason approaching, Hellebuyck is also poised to pass Georges Vezina as the only goalie in NHL history to claim each of his franchise's first 18+ playoff wins. In fact, he's one of just four goalies in NHL history with all of a franchise's (Jets/Thrashers) postseason victories.

DeSmith is expected to start on the road against LA on Saturday, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.

DeSmith will attempt to rebound after losing his past three outings while allowing 11 goals on 82 shots (.866 save percentage). He's 11-8-6 with a 2.84 GAA and an .895 save percentage across 27 appearances this season. DeSmith might have a somewhat challenging time ending his slump against the Kings after allowing three goals on 19 shots in a 3-2 loss to LA on March 25.

Hofer allowed three goals on 25 shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to San Jose.

Hofer found himself down 2-0 in the third frame, but the Blues battled back to force the extra period. Unfortunately for Hofer, the Sharks scored on their only overtime shot on net to put the game away, and he ended the night with an .880 save percentage. The 23-year-old backup goalie has now lost back-to-back games, and the Blues' chances of making the playoffs are all but extinguished. With just five contests left on the season, look for the Blues to start No. 1 netminder Jordan Binnington for the remainder of the games unless they are officially eliminated from the postseason.

Cooley stopped 28 of 29 shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Blues.

What a night to remember for Cooley, as he produced the first NHL win of his career. He kicked aside the first 24 shots of the game until finally being beaten on the power play by Jordan Kyrou, who got one between the pads in the third frame. Brayden Schenn fired one past the 26-year-old goaltender late in the same period, but Cooley got the last laugh, saving the remaining shots sent his way, including three in overtime. Since the Sharks return to action Sunday against the Ducks, expect No. 1 netminder Mackenzie Blackwood to be between the pipes.

Pickard will protect the road goal versus the Flames on Saturday, Bob Stauffer of the Oilers Radio Network reports.

Pickard will get the second half of a back-to-back after Stuart Skinner was in goal for Friday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche. Pickard has won just one of his last three outings while giving up 10 goals in that span.

Wallstedt will guard the road goal Sunday against Chicago, per Jessi Pierce of NHL.com.

Wallstedt will get his second start of the season with Minnesota after being recalled from AHL Iowa on Saturday. During his NHL debut against Dallas on Jan. 10, he gave up seven goals on 34 shots in a 7-2 loss. The 21-year-old netminder has a 21-19-3 record with a 2.76 GAA and a .908 save percentage in 43 AHL games this campaign. Chicago sits 31st in the league with 2.21 goals per contest in 2023-24.

Hofer will defend the road net Saturday against San Jose, according to Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Hofer allowed three goals on 19 shots in a 4-0 loss to the Sharks last Saturday. He has a 13-12-0 record this season with a 2.74 GAA and a .914 save percentage over 27 appearances. San Jose has posted a mere 2.20 goals per contest this campaign.

Ersson will defend the road goal Saturday against the Blue Jackets.

Ersson has gone 1-2-2 over his past six outings, allowing 20 goals on 125 shots (.840 save percentage) during that span. Through 46 appearances this season, he has a 21-16-7 record with a 2.81 GAA and an .891 save percentage. Columbus sits 25th in the league with 2.84 goals per contest this campaign.

Wallstedt was summoned from AHL Iowa on Saturday.

Wallstedt has a 2.76 GAA and a .908 save percentage in 43 AHL contests this season. The Wild will carry three goaltenders down the stretch because Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson are both believed to be healthy. The 21-year-old Wallstedt is projected to play between the pipes at some point during the Wild's upcoming five-game road trip, which begins Sunday in Chicago, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Cooley will patrol the home crease Saturday against the Blues, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Cooley made 26 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to Chicago on March 23 during his last start. He has allowed nine goals on 61 shots in two NHL outings this season en route to a record of 0-1-1. St. Louis sits 26th in the league with 2.83 goals per contest this campaign.