NHL Player News

Saros will patrol the Finnish crease versus Canada in semifinals action Friday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to Ethan Sears of the New York Post.

Saros gave up three goals on 24 shots in a loss to Slovakia, but the 30-year-old has been outstanding since then while turning aside 70 of 73 shots to enable Finland to make it to the semifinals. Canada enters the game as the favorite, but will be without the services of Sidney Crosby (lower body).

Binnington is slated to start for Team Canada against Finland in Friday's semifinals match at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports.

Binnington made some huge saves to keep Canada's medal hopes alive in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over Czechia in the quarterfinals. He has a 3-0 record at the tournament while allowing five goals on 64 shots. Finland defeated Switzerland in Wednesday's quarterfinal contest with a 3-2 comeback overtime win.

Hellebuyck will patrol the United States crease against Slovakia for Friday's semifinals contest at the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.

Hellebuyck was almost perfect in Wednesday's quarterfinal matchup against Sweden, turning aside 28 shots in a 2-1 overtime win. He has allowed three goals on 71 shots in wins over Germany, Latvia and Sweden. Slovakia won Group C and defeated Germany 6-2 in Wednesday's quarterfinal matchup.

Bjarnason was loaned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Bjarnason was called up by the Flyers on Tuesday, but he'll head back to the minors a few days later, which should allow him to appear in the Phantoms' weekend series against Hershey. It's not yet clear whether Bjarnason will have more opportunities to practice with Philadelphia to close out the Olympic break, but he's unlikely to be on the Flyers' roster when they resume play.

Portillo was summoned from AHL Ontario on Thursday.

The Kings need two goaltenders at practice, and with Darcy Kuemper with Team Canada at the Winter Olympics the team recalled Portillo to participate in practice with Anton Forsberg. Portillo has starred with the AHL Reign this season, posting a 13-3-1 mark with a 2.45 GAA and a .905 save percentage across 19 appearances.

Murray was recalled from AHL Milwaukee on Thursday.

The Predators have resumed practicing during the final week of the Olympic break, and Murray's recall will allow him to serve as the team's goaltender during practice until Juuse Saros returns from the Olympics. However, Murray will presumably head back to the Admirals ahead of Nashville's game against Chicago on Feb. 26. Over 29 appearances with Milwaukee this year, Murray has gone 12-14-2 with a 2.86 GAA and .904 save percentage.

Saros stopped 21 of 23 shots in Finland's 3-2 overtime win over Switzerland in the Olympic quarterfinals Wednesday.

Saros allowed two goals in the first period, with both goals coming within a span of 1:26, but he was excellent the rest of the way. Saros is expected to remain the starter for Finland in a tough matchup against Canada on Friday in the semifinals.

Hellebuyck stopped 28 of 29 shots in the United States' 2-1 win over Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals Wednesday.

Hellebuyck let a Mika Zibanejad shot past him in the third period, but he was excellent the rest of the way. The Jets' goaltender is firmly entrenched as the United States' No. 1 option between the pipes and should get the starting nod Friday in the semifinals against Slovakia.

Markstrom stopped 38 of 40 shots in Sweden's 2-1 overtime loss to the United States in the Olympic quarterfinals Wednesday.

Markstrom was beaten once in the second period, courtesy of Dylan Larkin, and once more in overtime when Quinn Hughes potted the game-winning goal. Markstrom ends his Olympic run with a 2-0-1 record while stopping 84 of the 90 shots he faced in three contests.

Woll (flu) missed practice Thursday.

Woll won his last two starts prior to the Olympic break, raising his record to 13-7-4 with a 2.92 GAA and a .908 save percentage over 25 appearances this season. He is expected to be ready to go Feb. 25 when the Maple Leafs return to action in Tampa Bay.