NHL Player News

Hellebuyck is expected to start at home against St. Louis in Game 5 on Wednesday, per Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press.

Hellebuyck was incredible during the regular season, posting a 47-12-3 record, 2.00 GAA and .925 save percentage across 63 appearances. However, he's allowed a staggering 11 goals on 43 shots (.744 save percentage) across his past two starts, which has allowed St. Louis to even the first-round series at 2-2. Hellebuyck surrendered five or more goals on just three occasions during the regular season, so for him to have back-to-back losses of that caliber in the playoffs is quite a departure. This is becoming a theme for Hellebuyck, though -- he has a 4.27 GAA and an .863 save percentage across 14 playoff starts over the last three years despite being one of the league's best regular-season goaltenders over the same span.

Thompson was the first goalie off at Wednesday's morning skate, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports, indicating that he'll draw the start in Game 5 at home against the Canadiens.

Thompson has started in each of the first four games of the Capitals' first-round series, going 3-1-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .912 save percentage. He'll attempt to remain effective at home in hopes of sending Washington to the second round.

Kochetkov stopped 31 shots Tuesday in the Hurricanes' 5-4 double-overtime win over the Devils in Game 5 of their first-round series.

Making his first start of the playoffs in place of Frederik Andersen (undisclosed), Kochetkov watched New Jersey grab a 3-0 lead before the halfway mark of the first period on two deflected goals and a third that came after a giveaway at the Carolina blue line. The 25-year-old netminder didn't lose his focus though, and he stood tall as the 'Canes dominated the game beginning in the third period. The win advances Carolina to the second round, but with Andersen's status uncertain, Kochetkov may return to the bench when the team resumes play against either Washington or Montreal.

Markstrom made 49 saves Tuesday in the Devils' 5-4 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 of their first-round series.

With New Jersey on the brink of elimination, Markstrom did everything he could to keep his team alive -- the Devils were outshot 19-4 in extra time, but the 35-year-old netminder finally got beaten by Sebastian Aho on a Carolina power play 4:17 into the second OT. Markstrom had an up-and-down regular season but still posted respectable numbers with a 26-16-6 record, 2.50 GAA and .900 save percentage, and with one year left on his current contract he should be back as the Devils' No. 1 goalie in 2025-26.

Kuemper stopped 43 of 45 shots in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 5. The third goal was an empty-netter.

Kuemper was the only reason the score was that close, but his heroics weren't enough. Mattias Janmark's tally early in the third period ended up deciding the game. It was the 11th goal Kuemper has allowed in the third period or overtime among the 18 tallies he's surrendered across five starts. The Oilers took some time to spark to life, but they've directed 128 shots on net over the last three contests, which is simply too much traffic for Kuemper to overcome. He'll likely get the nod again in Thursday's must-win Game 6 in Edmonton.

Pickard stopped 21 of 22 shots in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Kings in Game 5.

Pickard gave up just a power-play goal by Andrei Kuzmenko in the second period, which was quickly answered by Evander Kane. The 33-year-old Pickard has helped the Oilers flip a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead in the series, putting them in the driver's seat heading into Game 6 on Thursday. Pickard is a virtual lock to start that contest considering he has all the momentum on his side.

Fleury stopped six of seven shots in relief of Filip Gustavsson (illness) in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights in Game 5.

Fleury wasn't tested much in the third period, but Brett Howden's one-timer got by him in overtime. It was a tough position for Fleury to come into, and now the Wild will face elimination when they play Game 6 at home Thursday. Fleury would start if Gustavsson remains under the weather for that contest.

Hill stopped 20 of 22 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Wild in Game 5.

Hill did enough to get his second win in a row, though he got a big assist from the Golden Knights' video crew to overturn a Wild go-ahead goal for being offside late in the third period. Hill is 3-2 this postseason, but he's allowed 15 goals over those five games. The 28-year-old will have a chance to close out the series in Minnesota on Thursday in Game 6.

Gustavsson (illness) exited Tuesday's Game 5 versus the Golden Knights after two periods.

Gustavsson didn't look sick while in the crease, stopping 23 of 25 shots over the first two periods. However, he left the game with the Wild down by one. Marc-Andre Fleury took over between the pipes and would likely get the start Thursday in Minnesota if Gustavsson remains under the weather.

Stolarz made 15 saves Tuesday in a 4-0 loss to Ottawa in Game 5. He allowed two goals.

The loss wasn't on Stolarz -- he played well, and he pretty much kept the score 1-0 for most of the game while waiting for his teammates to score. All while Linus Ullmark dazzled at the other end of the ice. Stolarz can't win the games by himself. Still, the Maple Leafs lead the best-of-7 series 3-2, and Game 6 will be in the Sens' barn on Thursday.