NHL Hockey Player News

The Canucks are allowing an alarming league-worst 5.0 goals per game through seven games this season (2-5-0). That said, Merilainen has been serviceable when called upon, greatly outdueling counterpart Kevin Lankinen. The 24-year-old Merilainen saved 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) in his previous outing, a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. He has a 2.18 GAA and .929 SV% in four appearances this season (2-1-0). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as significant +191 road underdogs against a New York Islanders team coming off a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

To start the 2026-27 season, the Blues have made it clear they are relying more on Hofer than veteran Jordan Binnington, and will turn to him again on Tuesday for his fourth start in six games. The 26-year-old Hofer earned extra playing time after a terrific 2025-26 season and has carried that momentum early into this season, posting a stellar 1.68 GAA and .930 SV% in three games (1-1-1). The Blues enter Tuesday's contest as slight -104 underdogs against a red-hot Ottawa Senators team that improved to 5-1-0 after a 4-1 win last night over the New Jersey Devils.

The reigning Vezina Trophy winner hasn't had to be spectacular yet this season, but has made timely saves to lead Tampa Bay to a 4-1-0 start. The 32-year-old goalie saved 20 of 23 shots (.870 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-3 win over the New York Islanders. He has a 2.29 GAA and .892 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). Tampa Bay enters Tuesday's contest as -152 road favourites against a New York Rangers team off to an impressive 5-2-0 start, outscoring opponents 23-13.

Grubauer has never lived up to expectations since joining the Seattle Kraken in their inaugural 2021-22 season, but he is off to a strong start in 2026-27. The 34-year-old German goalie was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 37 of 40 shots (.925 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He has a 2.59 GAA and .917 SV% in three appearances this season (1-1-0). The Kraken enter Tuesday’s contest as slight +102 road underdogs against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has scored a league-worst eight goals in seven games (0-5-2).

Hurricanes Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour started Brandon Bussi in the first two games of the season, but he seems to be easing into a more balanced goalie rotation, with Kochetkov returning to the crease on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Kochetkov has been solid early this season, posting a 1.64 GAA and .912 SV% in three games (3-0-0). He saved 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in his previous outing, a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Hurricanes enter Tuesday's contest as -149 home favourites against a 3-2-0 Washington Capitals team.

With Alex Lyon (upper body) still sidelined, the Sabres have relied heavily on Luukkonen, who hasn't delivered encouraging results. Luukkonen has an ugly 3.67 GAA and .812 SV% in four games (2-2-0). That said, the 27-year-old Finnish goalie played well in relief yesterday, saving 13 of 14 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers. The Sabres enter Tuesday’s contest as +139 road underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens team coming off a 1-0 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings.