NHL Player News

Poirier posted a 29-save shutout in AHL Texas' 2-0 win over Grand Rapids on Friday.

This was Grand Rapids' second regulation loss of the season, so that's some impressive work for Poirier. It's been tough times in Texas for the 24-year-old goalie, who is 9-10-4 with a 2.64 GAA and a .908 save percentage over 23 contests this season, numbers roughly in line with his work last year. Poirier won't get many looks in Dallas as long as Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith are both available.

Soderblom (illness) is not expected to suit up Friday versus the Capitals, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.

The Blackhawks are dealing with significant illness issues, which will sideline both Soderblom and Spencer Knight. Drew Commesso was called up from AHL Rockford earlier in the day and will get the start, and he may be needed Saturday in Nashville as well if neither of the two regular goalies are healthy.

Knight (illness) will not start as previously scheduled in Friday's home game versus the Capitals, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.

Knight was initially scheduled to start, but he has fallen ill. It's not clear if he'll be ready for Saturday's game in Nashville given the quick turnaround during a back-to-back set.

Commesso will start Friday's home game versus the Capitals rather than Spencer Knight (illness), Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.

Commesso will make his third NHL appearance and his first in 2025-26 as the Blackhawks deal with an illness going around their locker room. At AHL Rockford this season, Commesso has a 6-11-2 record despite a 2.72 GAA and a .909 save percentage.

Merzlikins is expected to start on the road against Colorado on Saturday, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

Merzlikins has struggled this campaign with a 6-6-1 record, 4.03 GAA and .877 save percentage in 14 appearances. His last start was Dec. 20, and he's allowed at least three goals in each of his past 11 appearances. The Avalanche are a tough assignment, as they rank first in goals per game with 4.05. They did lose back-to-back games Sunday and Tuesday against Florida and Tampa Bay, respectively, but the Avalanche rebounded with an 8-2 victory over Ottawa on Thursday.

Kuemper was the first goalie off during Friday's morning skate, Jared Shafran of the Kings' official site reports, indicating that he'll draw the road start against Winnipeg.

Kuemper has gone 2-1-1 with a 3.40 GAA and .877 save percentage over his last four outings, and he'll draw a fifth consecutive start Friday. He made two starts against Winnipeg earlier this season -- one at home and one on the road -- and he went 1-1-0 with a 1.53 GAA and .940 save percentage during those appearances.

Commesso was recalled from AHL Rockford on Friday.

Arvid Soderblom was absent from morning skate ahead of Friday's game against the Capitals due to an illness. While Spencer Knight will operate as the starter against Washington, Commesso's recall signals that Soderblom will likely be inactive, which would put Commesso in line to operate as the backup. If Soderblom is forced to miss additional time, Commesso could start in Nashville on Saturday in the second half of a back-to-back set.

Lindbom was called up from AHL Henderson on Friday.

Lindbom was recalled since Carter Hart suffered a lower-body injury in the opening frame Thursday versus Columbus and did not return. It is expected that Lindbom will back up Akira Schmid in the interim. Lindbom is 1-4-2 with a 3.14 GAA and an .870 save percentage across seven NHL starts this season.

Comrie will patrol the home crease versus Los Angeles on Friday.

Comrie will get his second start in 12 games, as the Jets played Connor Hellebuyck on Thursday in a 4-3 loss to Edmonton. Comrie is 6-9-1 with a 3.49 GAA and an .880 save percentage, not great numbers for a Jets team that's trying to snap an 11-game losing streak. The Kings are not a high-scoring team, as they sit in 28th in NHL scoring, generating 2.67 goals per game.

Hofer will start Friday's road game against Utah, Chris Pinkert of the Blues' official site reports.

Hofer has sat for three of the Blues' last four games, but he'll draw the start Friday after Jordan Binnington struggled mightily during Wednesday's loss in Chicago. Hofer has gone 4-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .930 save percentage over his last five starts. He's made two starts against Utah this year, going 1-0-0 with a 2.65 GAA and .875 save percentage.