NHL Hockey Player News

Malenstyn will miss 6-8 weeks after blocking a shot against Vegas in the Capitals' previous game. He will undergo surgery to stabilize a finger fracture. In five games with Washington this season, he has two points (1G/1A) and four shots, while averaging only 8:34 TOI.

Blankenburg has been solid this season, collecting a game-winning goal, two points (1G/1A) and eight shots in four games all while only playing 16:05 TOI nightly. He will be back in Columbus' lineup Friday as they take on the Avalanche in Finland.

Jenner will play after he was a game-time decision Friday due to illness as the Blue Jackets take on Colorado in the first of two Finland games. In ten games so far in 2022-23, Jenner has a goal and four points while earning a -3 plus/minus rating.

Samsonov stopped 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) to easily beat Philadelphia 5-2 his last time between the crease. He has been very good since joining the Maple Leafs in the offseason, amassing a 5-2-0 record to go along with his .920 SV% and 2.30 GAA. He will face the Boston Bruins, who are 10-1-0 with the best record in the NHL and rank 1st in the NHL in goals for per game with 4.45.

Nichuskin has missed the Avalanche's last two games due to a lower-body injury but was on the ice for warmups Friday in Finland before heading off prematurely. He is now announced out for Friday's game and will be reevaluated before their second game Saturday. He shares the Avalanche lead in points alongside Nathan MacKinnon with 12 points (7G/5A) in seven games.

Soderblom stopped 31 of 32 shots (.970 SV%) for his first victory of the season his last time out vs. Los Angeles. Soderblom has been a revelation for the Blackhawks since Alex Stalock went down (concussion) posting a .935 SV% and 2.37 GAA. He will take on the Winnipeg Jets who have won four of their last five contests.

Miller originally had his 111th overall selection denounced by Arizona after the news was released of previous wrongdoings. Boston took the chance Friday and signed the 20-year-old to an entry-level contract despite the previous knowledge. In 60 games with Tri-City of the USHL in 2021-22, Miller had 39 goals and 83 points along with 75 PIMs.

Talbot got his first taste of NHL action Thursday, stopping 13 of 13 shots in relief of Anton Forsberg in a loss after coming off the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. In 49 games last season, Talbot won 32 games while amassing a .911 SV% and three shutouts. He will face the Philadelphia Flyers who have lost their last three games after dropping a 5-2 contest to Toronto Wednesday.

Anderson stopped 23 of 26 shots (.885 SV%) in his third straight winning victory over Chicago his last time out. The leagues oldest player has drunk from the fountain of youth this season, posting a 3-0-0 record along with a 1.66 GAA and .946 SV% in three starts. He faces off against Carolina who is playing the second of a back-to-back after beating Tampa Bay 4-3 in shootout Thursday night.

Fogarty will head back down to Iowa Friday after playing two games for the big club where he failed to collect both a point or even a shot on goal while playing around 10 minutes of ice per night. The six-year NHL veteran will hope to receive the call again so that he can add to his three career NHL points in 31 games.

Simmonds will head back to the Maple Leafs after being sent down to Toronto of the AHL earlier in the week. The 34-year-old veteran has one assist in his first three games while playing a fourth-line role with the Maple Leafs. In 1,022 career games played in the NHL, he has 263 goals and 262 assists, and 1,268 PIMs.

Kral will head back to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) after getting a quick cup of tea in the NHL. Across two games the 23-year-old only managed to see an average TOI of 9:58, while getting one shot and zero points. He will hope to return to the big club sooner rather than later.

The Senators' 2018 first-round pick (26th overall) will make his season debut after getting recalled from Belleville of the AHL. In 13 career NHL games in two seasons prior, the 22-year-old has one assist and is a +3 plus/minus.

Blankenburg has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury that he suffered in New York on October 23rd but could be back in the lineup on Friday. If he plays, expect Blankenburg to skate on the top defensive pairing with Zach Werenski.

Jenner missed Thursday's practice due to illness but is expected to play vs. the Avalanche on Friday. Jenner, who has one goal and three assists in 10 games, is expected to centre the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine.

Nichushkin has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but was skating on the top line and top power-play unit in Thursday's practice. Head coach Jared Bednar called him a game-time decision, so monitor his status as the Avalanche hit the ice in Finland at 1:30 PM ET.