NHL Player News

Merilainen stopped 31 of 34 shots for the Canucks during a 4-1 loss to the Devils on Saturday.

The 24-year-old netminder managed to avoid having the loss go on his record -- Merilainen left the ice late in the first period to get his skate repaired, and Kevin Lankinen wound up allowing the game-winning goal during his brief relief stint. All three pucks that got past Merilainen came on Devil power plays, and he made a number of big saves just to keep the game as close as it was. Through four appearances (two starts) this season, he boasts a .929 save percentage, compared to Lankinen's woeful .783 mark in five outings (four starts). Lankinen should get the start for Sunday's road contest against the Rangers, but Merilainen is making a strong case to take over the larger share of the workload in the crease for Vancouver.

Tanev (upper body) won't finish Saturday's game versus the Avalanche.

Tanev was injured in the first period and won't be able to continue. The 36-year-old defenseman's exit leaves Toronto with six healthy defensemen on the roster. He'll be day-to-day for now until the Maple Leafs provide additional information.

Vasilevskiy is set to start on the road against the Islanders on Saturday, per Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.

Vasilevskiy has won his past two starts, stopping 34 of 36 shots. He's gone 2-1-0 with a 2.05 GAA and a .900 save percentage in three appearances with Tampa Bay this year. The Islanders are 2-2-0 while averaging 3.25 goals per game in 2026-27.

Crotty (illness) will miss Saturday's game against Nashville, per the NHL media site.

It will be Crotty's second straight game on the shelf. He has no points, a plus-1 rating and one hit in two outings with Ottawa this season. When he's healthy, Crotty might serve as part of the third pairing, but there's no guarantee that he'll be put into the lineup once he's available.

Sanderson (lower body) won't play versus the Predators on Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Sanderson will miss his fourth straight game. The 24-year-old defenseman's next chance to play is Monday versus the Devils in the first half of a back-to-back set. Since that game is on the road, the Senators may be cautious with their top blueliner and hold him out until Tuesday's game versus the Blues.

Van Riemsdyk (lower body) won't play Saturday versus the Stars.

Van Riemsdyk got banged up a bit in Friday's game versus the Blue Jackets and will sit out the second half of the back-to-back. His absence will allow Spencer Stastney to make his Penguins debut. Van Riemsdyk is considered day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's game versus the Blackhawks.

Ekman-Larsson (undisclosed) is set to play Saturday in Colorado, per Mark Masters of TSN.

Ekman-Larsson's availability was in question after he exited Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to Vegas because of the injury. He has no points, six PIM, five hits and three blocks in five appearances in 2026-27.

Bobrovsky is set to start on the road against Colorado on Saturday, according to Bailey Curtis of DNVR Sports.

Bobrovsky is still searching for his first victory with Toronto after posting a record of 0-2-1 with a 2.95 GAA and a .906 save percentage across three outings. The Avalanche are a tough assignment with a league-leading 5.75 goals per game.

Ullmark will tend the twine at home versus the Predators on Saturday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Ullmark has won all three of his games this season, allowing just three goals on 68 shots. The Predators haven't put it all together consistently yet, scoring 12 goals over four games. Still, Nashville won its second game this season with a 5-2 victory over the Canadiens on Thursday.

Murray will protect the road goal versus the Senators on Saturday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Murray will make his NHL season debut, giving Juuse Saros a night off after four straight starts. Justus Annunen (undisclosed) still isn't ready to return, but when he is, Murray will likely head back to AHL Milwaukee. The Senators have scored 14 goals over four games this season.