NHL Player News

Vasilevskiy will start Thursday's home game against the Panthers, per Gabby Shirley.

Vasilevskiy started off the 2026-27 preseason on the right foot in an outing where he allowed just one goal on 13 shot attempts. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner was a force last season, compiling a 39-15-4 record, a 2.31 GAA and a .911 save percentage across 58 regular-season outings. Thursday's preseason outing will likely be Vasilevskiy's final or penultimate tune-up game before he looks to dominate once again in the regular season.

Lyon will defend the road crease during Thursday's preseason game against Detroit, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Lyon was in the starter's net during Thursday's morning skate, and he'll officially draw the start in the Sabres' penultimate preseason game. Head coach Lindy Ruff said after morning skate that it's possible Lyon plays the entire game. During Lyon's preseason debut, he turned aside 16 of 19 shots during a road loss to the Penguins on Monday.

Demko (hip) has been designated for injured reserve, per the NHL media site Thursday.

Demko wasn't going to be ready for training camp and this latest shift would seem to indicate he won't be ready for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. With his continued injury problems, the Canucks will likely ease the veteran backstop into the lineup while relying on Kevin Lankinen.

Thompson will guard the home crease in Friday's preseason game against the Bruins, per Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.

Thompson had a solid outing in his lone appearance of the preseason, where he made 28 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss against Boston. The 29-year-old backstop has improved each of the past three seasons and is fresh off a campaign where he compiled a 31-21-6 record, a 2.44 GAA, a .912 save percentage and a career-high four shutouts across 58 regular-season outings. Even if Charlie Lindgren stays healthy this season, Thompson will likely see 50 or more appearances for the second straight year.

Black will draw the start during Thursday's road preseason game against the Lightning, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Demko signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Panthers in early June, and he'll get a tune-up during the team's penultimate preseason game. He hasn't yet made his NHL regular-season debut, but he went 25-13-4 with a 2.47 GAA and .903 save percentage across 42 regular-season appearances with AHL Charlotte last year.

Dostal turned aside 17 of 19 shots during Wednesday's 2-1 preseason loss to the Kings.

Dostal got his first taste of preseason action ahead of the 2026-27 campaign Wednesday, but he allowed a pair of goals late in the first frame and didn't get much offensive support. Dostal appears to be in line to serve as the Ducks' primary netminder once again this year after he went 30-20-4 with a 3.10 GAA and .888 save percentage across 56 regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.

Forsberg allowed a goal on 25 shots during Wednesday's 2-1 preseason win over Anaheim.

Forsberg allowed three goals on 16 shots during his preseason debut against the Golden Knights, but he was much more effective Wednesday. He gave up the first goal of the game in the opening frame, but the Kings responded with a pair of goals later in the period en route to the victory. Forsberg will likely begin the 2026-27 season as the Kings' backup netminder but could see increased opportunities if Darcy Kuemper struggles.

Poirier posted a 24-save shutout in Wednesday's 2-0 preseason win over the Wild.

Poirier was given the start on short notice after Jake Oettinger (lower body) was scratched. The 24-year-old Poirier made good use of the opportunity, and he's now stopped 35 of 36 shots over two preseason appearances. He's likely ticketed for AHL Texas, but Poirier would presumably be the first call-up on the list if Oettinger or Casey DeSmith is unavailable at any point in 2026-27.

Wallstedt stopped 22 of 24 shots in Wednesday's 2-0 preseason loss to the Stars.

Wallstedt was tasked with his first start of the preseason, but the team in front of him was largely an AHL-level roster. In that context, this was a good performance for Wallstedt, who will also play in Minnesota's preseason finale at home versus the Stars on Friday. The 23-year-old netminder will carry a heavy load in goal to begin 2026-27 while Filip Gustavsson (hip) misses the first month-plus of the campaign.

Ullmark stopped 20 of 23 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 preseason loss to the Maple Leafs. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.

Ullmark got the whole game, but the Senators as a whole struggled. The 33-year-old netminder is eligible for one more preseason game, though it's not yet clear if he'll make a start when the Senators have another split-squad set against the Canadiens on Saturday. In any case, expect Ullmark to handle the bulk of the workload in goal in 2026-27.