NHL Hockey Player News

After a horrendous start to the season, the Flames have played better lately, riding a season-best three-game winning streak, due largely to the strong play of backup netminder Devin Cooley. That said, the Flames hope for more consistency out of the 2024-25 runner-up for the Calder Trophy, as Wolf returns to the crease on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Wolf was excellent in his most recent game, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, but is sporting a subpar 3.02 GAA and .895 SV% through 19 games this season (6-11-2). The Flames enter their matchup against the Lightning on Wednesday as +163 road underdogs.

With Anthony Stolarz currently injured, Joseph Woll will make a fifth consecutive start on Wednesday as Toronto heads to Columbus. The 27-year-old returned to the Maple Leafs on November 15th and has experienced an up-and-down week since returning, with his 1-2-1 record, 3.27 GAA, and .905 SV%. He will take on Columbus on the road on Wednesday, who had lost their last two games and are ranked 24th in the NHL in goals per game (2.87).

Talbot had a poor performance in Detroit's most recent game, allowing four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils, but he will return to the crease on Wednesday, looking to redeem himself against the Nashville Predators. The 38-year-old Talbot has had an up-and-down 2025-26 season, posting a 2.79 GAA and .893 SV% in 13 appearances (9-3-0). The Red Wings enter Wednesday's contest as -150 home favourites against a Predators team that ranks dead last in the league offensively (2.36 GF/GP)

After a disastrous 8-3 loss to Florida on Monday, Nashville will turn to their back up goaltender Justus Annunen in Detroit on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has been horrendous so far in 2025-26, with his 0-3-1 record, 4.07 GAA and .836 SV%. He will head to Detroit to take on the Red Wings on Wednesday, who have won three of their last five games and currently rank 4th in the NHL in SOG (30.2).

Vasilevskiy will take Tampa Bay's crease for the fourth time in their last five games when they host Calgary on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Russian netminder has excelled this season despite Tampa Bay having a plethora of injuries most nights, with his 9-5-2 record, 2.36 GAA and .913 SV%. He will host the Flames on Wednesday, who are in the midst of a surprising three game winning streak.

With Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) sidelined, Andersen will tend the twine on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. Andersen has lost four straight outings (0-2-2), posting a .854 SV%, and is off to arguably the worst start of his career. The 36-year-old netminder has allowed three or more goals in all but two of his 12 games this season (5-5-2). Still, the Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as -185 home favorites against a Rangers team that is in the bottom half of the league offensively (2.5 GF/GP).

The Blues are coming off a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers with Joel Hofer tending the twine, but they will revert to Binnington on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old Binnington has been inconsistent this season, but has helped his team collect a point in four straight outings (2-0-2), posting a serviceable 2.80 GAA and .915 SV%. He has a 3.13 GAA and .880 SV% in 15 games this season (5-5-4). The Blues enter Wednesday's contest as +119 road underdogs against a Devils team that scored three or fewer goals in four of five games (2-3-0) since Jack Hughes (hand) has been sidelined.

With Tristan Jarry (lower body) activated from Injured Reserve and returning to the crease, Pittsburgh has reassigned Murashov to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The 21-year-old Murashov is widely seen as the goalie of the future for Pittsburgh and impressed in a small four-game sample (1-1-1), posting a 1.90 GAA and a .913 SV%.

Stone has not played since suffering a wrist injury on October 18th, and few updates have been shared during his absence. That said, he was a full participant at Wednesday's morning skate and will return to the lineup against his former team, the Ottawa Senators. The 33-year-old Stone was off to another terrific start before his injury, with 13 points (2G / 11A) in six games. He is expected to play on a line with Mitch Marner and return to a role on the top powerplay unit.

Marchenko did not play on Monday and will miss a second straight game, day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season and his offense will be sorely missed. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.

Nathan Bastian had a strong two-goal performance last night and has been rewarded, staying in the lineup in favor of Colin Blackwell with Mikko Rantanen returning from a one-game suspension. The 32-year-old Blackwell is averaging 11:42 time-on-ice and has six points (2G / 4A) in 23 games this season.

The Stars erupted offensively for an 8-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers last night and will turn to DeSmith on the tail end of their back-to-back on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 34-year-old Smith has been outstanding in a complementary role to Jake Oettinger this season, showcasing a stellar 2.22 GAA and .917 SV% in seven games (4-1-2). DeSmith saved 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 2-1 win over Seattle earlier this month. The Stars enter the action on Wednesday as -119 road favorites.

Lankinen has been Vancouver's de facto starting netminder with Thatcher Demko (lower body) sidelined, but he will not be an option for the team on their upcoming road trip. Demko is travelling with the team but it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. Assuming Demko is unable to return, the Canucks crease will belong to Jiri Patera and Nikita Tolopilo until Lankinen returns.

With Kevin Lankinen (personal) away from the team and Thatcher Demko (lower body) still sidelined, Tolopilo will draw into the Canucks' crease for his first start of the season on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Tolopilo made his NHL debut last season, playing two games (1-1-0) with the Canucks and posting a 2.15 GAA and .885 SV%. He has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL). The Canucks enter Wednesday's contest as +135 road underdogs against a Ducks team that is 8-2-0 at home this season.