NHL Hockey Player News

The Devils have won five of their last six (5-1-0) and will roll with Markstrom between the pipes on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 34-year-old Markstrom has been tremendous lately, allowing only three combined goals in his last five games (5-0-0), posting an outstanding .960 SV%. He is riding a two-game shutout streak and has a 2.12 GAA and .912 SV% in 26 games this season (18-6-2). The Devils enter Friday's contest as -125 home favorites in the front end of a back-to-back set against the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes held a rare morning skate at their home facilities on Friday before heading out to New Jersey for their contest against the Devils later in the day. Kochetkov was stellar in his last game before the holiday break, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old Kochetkov has a 2.43 GAA and .903 SV% in 21 appearances (14-6-0). He has allowed three or fewer goals in five straight (3-2-0), posting a solid .934 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as +112 road underdogs against a Devils squad they will face again on Saturday.

The Sabres snapped a league-worst 13-game losing skid in their previous outing when Luukkonen saved 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the New York Islanders. It was only the second time in nine games that Luukkonen has allowed fewer than three goals in a game (1-6-2). He has a 3.03 GAA and .895 SV% in 24 appearances this season (9-11-23). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -160 home favorites against a Chicago Blackhawks club amid a two-game losing skid.

Daccord reportedly suffered the injury in Seattle's last game before the holiday break but was able to stay in. The team did not provide any further details on his injury. Philipp Grubauer is the projected starter in Daccord's absence.

Burakovsky did not make the short trip to Vancouver with the team and will sit out Saturday's game with an illness. Daniel Sprong is the most likely candidate to fill Burakovsky's spot on the Kraken's fourth line and second power-play unit.

With Nicolos Roy (upper body) not ready to return to the lineup, Laczynski has been recalled from Henderson (AHL). In three games with Vegas this season, the 27-year-old Laczynski is averaging 8:56 time-on-ice, recording zero points, a -1 plus/minus, and two blocks.

Cayden Primeaeu is expected to be placed on waivers tomorrow, allowing Dobes to make his NHL debut on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. Dobes was a fifth-round pick, 136th overall, of the Canadiens in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old goalie, a product of Ohio State University, has a 2.44 GAA and .910 SV% in 14 games (9-3-1) with the Laval Rocket (AHL).

Vanecek was hit by an arrant puck while on the bench last Tuesday and has not suited up since. The Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), who has played two games for the Sharks since Vanecek's injury.

Roy is battling an upper-body injury and will miss a third straight game on Friday. The 27-year-old Roy has 13 points (6G / 7A) in 31 games this season.

Fleury exited Monday's 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period after only 14:47 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Fleury is averaging 17:14 time-on-ice, scoring six points (0G / 6A) in 25 games.

Lee made his NHL debut this season, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in 17 games with the Kings. The 24-year-old has spent most of the previous three seasons in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, including scoring two points (1G / 1A) in four games this season.

The Golden Knights will likely turn to Hill between the pipes on Friday against the San Jose Sharks. Hill was excellent in his most recent outing saving 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. He has a 2.61 GAA and .905 SV% in 22 games this season (15-5-2). The Golden Knights are riding a four-game winning streak and enter Friday's contest as sizeable -241 road favorites against the Sharks.

Just 10 games into his return from a preseason injury, Patrik Laine left Monday's game vs. Columbus with an upper-body injury. That said, Laine and the Canadiens seem to have avoided any serious damage as he was back at practice on Friday. Laine has been a spark of energy since joining the team 10 games ago, with eight goals and nine points.