NHL Hockey Player News

With Los Angeles on the second half of their back-to-back and Cam Talbot taking the crease in Tuesday's 6-2 win over Chicago, David Rittich will man the crease on Wednesday vs. Minnesota. The 31-year-old backup started the year in the AHL but has impressed and surprised many with his 10-5-3 record, .916 SV% and 2.29 GAA in 20 games played this season. He'll host the Minnesota Wild who are on a bit of a heater having won four of their last five games while ranking 18th in the NHL in goals per game on the season (3.07).

Arvidsson has played only four games this season due to various injuries, with his most recent lower-body ailment preventing him from playing the last 13 games. His return to practice on Monday is a promising sign for the high-volume shooting winger, but he will remain sidelined on Tuesday. He has two points (0G / 2A) and 12 shots in four games.

The Kings will turn to Talbot between the pipes for the ninth time in the last 11 games on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. In his last outing, Talbot was incredible, saving all 28 shots he faced in a 5-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Kings enter action as sizeable -385 home favourites.

The Sabres will turn to Levi for the tail-end of their back-to-back after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got the call for Monday's game in Seattle. It will be Levi's first NHL game since January 24th, a game in which he allowed just three goals on 40 shots in a 5-3 victory over the Kings. The Sabres opted to send Levi down to Rochester (AHL) shortly thereafter in order to assure him more playing time as Luukkonen ran away with the starting job. Levi will be hoping to stake a claim for more playing time after amassing an 11-5-3 record to go along with a .927 SV% across 19 AHL appearances.

With Thatcher Demko still sidelined, DeSmith will continue his reign over the Canucks crease. DeSmith has lost both starts since taking over for Demko (0-1-1), but played well in his last outing, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Canucks enter action as -194 home favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that defeated the Seattle Kraken 6-2 last night.

Jeannot was activated off Injured Reserve in February and returned to the lineup on February 13th but was limited to only 5:44 time-on-ice before re-aggravating his lower-body injury. He has played in only one game since January 6th. The 26-year-old bruising winger has filled his bottom-six role well this season with 12 points (6G/6A), 52 SOG, 61 PIMs, and a -11 plus/minus in 41 games played before the injury.

Tampa Bay will turn to Vasilevskiy for the eighth straight game as they search for their fourth consecutive victory. Vasilevskiy has played well lately, allowing three or fewer goals in five of his last six, including saving 47 of 50 shots (.940 SV%) in his last outing, a 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers. Tampa Bay enters action as a +116 road underdog against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Ryan will draw into the Oilers lineup in place of Connor Brown for Tuesday's game against the Canadiens. Ryan has five goals and six assists in 61 games this season.

Brown will be the odd-man out on Tuesday when the Oilers host the Habs. Derek Ryan will draw into the lineup in his place.

Engvall was a very late scratch for Tuesday's game after taking his usual spot in line rushes during warmups. Hudson Fasching will draw into the lineup in Engvall's place.

Fasching was a late addition to the Islanders' lineup after not taking part in line rushes during warmups. Pierre Engvall will sit in his place.

Labanc will take a seat on Tuesday in order to make way for the return of Jan Rutta (lower-body). Jacob MacDonald will slide up to forward in order to make room for Rutta on the back-end.

Kochetkov will be back between the pipes on Tuesday after Frederik Andersen got the nod in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Senators. Kochetkov performed admirably his last time out, stopping 36 of the 40 shots he faced as the Hurricanes edged the Maple Leafs in a 5-4 shootout victory on Saturday. He continues to split time with Andersen as Carolina has rotated their netminder each game since Andersen's return from injury. Kochketkov is a good bet to stay in the win column on Tuesday with the Hurricanes being -160 favourites on Long Island.

Gruden will draw into the Penguins lineup for the first time since March 10th as he draws into the lineup in place of the injured Jeff Cater (upper-body). Gruden has one goal in 11 NHL games this season.

Willman will slide into the lineup in place of Kurtis MacDermid, who will be a healthy scratch. Willman has one goal and one assist in 13 games this season.

MacDermid will be the odd-man out when the Devils host the Penguins on Tuesday night. Maxwell Willman will draw into the lineup in his place.

Ginning will make just his second appearance of the season when the Flyers host the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Marc Staal will sit in his place.