Vasilevskiy will start the Lightning's season opener in Carolina on Friday. The Lightning will unsurprisingly turn to their franchise netminder for their season opener on Friday night. Vasilevskiy was uncharacteristically mediocre in 2023-24, though an early season back injury could be to blame. He posted a .900 SV%, a 2.90 GAA, and a 30-20-2 record across 52 starts. He'll be looking to regain his Vezina caliber form this season, but he draws a tough assignment on opening night. The Lightning enter action as +125 underdogs in Carolina. Source: Ryan Henkel
Andersen will start the Hurricanes' season opener against the Lightning on Friday. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour was noncommittal about who would be manning Carolina's crease for their season opener on Friday, but it's no surprise to see Andersen get the call. Though he was limited by injuries last season, Andersen was spectacular when he was available. The 35-year-old netminder posted a .932 SV% and a 1.84 GAA to go along with a 13-2-0 record across 16 appearances. Andersen and the Hurricanes enter Friday night as -150 favourites over the Lightning.Source: Ryan Henkel
Soderblom will start on Friday in Winnipeg. Petr Mrazek struggled in the Blackhawks season-opening 5-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club, allowing four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%). As such, the Blackhawks will turn to Soderblom for their second game of the the season, a tilt against the Winnipeg Jets, who steamrolled to a 6-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Soderblom appeared in 32 games last season (5-22-2), posting a pedestrian 3.92 GAA and .879 SV%.Source: Mark Lazerus
Hellebuyck will start against the Blackhawks on Friday. Last season's Vezina trophy winner picked up where he left off, saving all 30 shots he faced for a shutout in a dominant 6-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck has led the league in appearances amongst goalies in four of the last seven seasons and is expected to be amongst the leaders again this season. Hellebuyck will return to the crease on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Jets enter action as sizeable -266 home favorites against a Blackhawks team that was defeated 5-2 in their season-opening matchup against the Utah Hockey Club.Source: Murat Ates
Ersson will start the Flyers' season opener in Vancouver on Friday. The 24-year-old will have to fend off newcomer Ivan Fedotov for playing time this season, but Ersson appears to have the slight edge heading into game one of 82. Ersson had some bright moments in 2023-24 but struggled as a whole, posting an .890 SV% and a 2.82 GAA across 51 appearances. He draws a brutal first assignment against the Canucks, who scored five goals on 24 shots in their overtime loss to the Flames on Wednesday. The Flyers enter action as +160 underdogs in Vancouver.Source: Jeff Paterson
Lankinen will start on Friday vs. Philadelphia. With Thatcher Demko likely sidelined for the next several weeks, the Canucks will rotate between Lankinen and Artus Silovs in the crease. Silovs started the season opener for the Canucks, a 6-5 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames, and will serve as the backup to Lankinen for their second game on Friday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 29-year-old Lankinen was serviceable as the Nashville Predators' backup goalie last season, posting a 2.82 GAA and .908 SV% in 24 outings (11-6-0). The Canucks enter action on Friday as -167 home favorites over the Flyers. Source: Jeff Paterson
Binnington will start in Vegas on Friday. On the tail end of a back-to-back set, the Blues will turn to Binnington in the crease on Friday night after Joel Hofer allowed four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks last night. The 31-year-old Binnington was solid in the Blues' season opener on Tuesday, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken. The Blues enter action on Friday as +188 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.Source: Matthew DeFranks
Hill will start on Friday vs. St. Louis. Hill was serviceable, if unspectacular, in the Golden Knights' season opener, allowing four goals on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in an 8-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche, enough to secure another start in their second game of the season. The 28-year-old Hill had a solid 2023-24 season but was sidelined for a large portion due to injuries, posting a 2.71 GAA and .909 SV% in only 35 games (19-12-2). The Golden Knights enter Friday night's contest as sizeable -214 home favorites against the St. Louis Blues. Source: Jesse Granger