NHL Hockey Player News

Kuemper did not play the last two games before the Christmas break for the Capitals but seems to be turning the corner on a terrible start to the 2023-24 campaign. In his first 13 games (5-6-2), Kuemper posted an ugly .887 SV% but is boasting a stellar .947 SV% in three games since (3-0-0), riding three consecutive quality starts for the first time this season. That said, the Capitals are sizeable +181 road underdogs against a New York Rangers team that has won four of their last five outings (4-1-0).

Jake Bean will return to the lineup on Wednesday in favour of Andrew Peeke, who will be a healthy scratch. Bean has three points (1G / 2A), 42 shots, and 46 blocks while averaging 15:26 time-on-ice through 32 games this season and is expected to skate alongside Erik Gudbranson on the Blue Jackets' fourth defensive pair.

Peeke will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Jake Bean to draw back into the lineup. Peeke has four points (0G / 4A), 21 hits, and 23 blocks while averaging 17:07 time-on-ice through 12 games this season.

Olivier has not played since December 16th but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils as Sean Kuraly (abdominal) will be unavailable. The 26-year-old winger has five points (1G / 4A) in 18 games and is expected to play on the fourth line with Brendan Gaunce and Alexandre Texier.

Daws is no stranger to the NHL either, playing 25 games (10-11-1) with the Devils as a rookie, posting a 3.11 GAA and .893 SV%, but has yet to play for the Devils this season. The 22-year-old netminder debuted with the Utica Comets (AHL) earlier this month after returning from an injury, posting a 2.39 GAA and .929 SV% in three games (1-2-0). Daws could be an option at the NHL level at some point this season, perhaps sooner than later, especially if the goaltending tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid continues to falter.

Kuraly had to be helped off the ice on Saturday and was taken to hospital, where he was discharged after testing. There has not been a definitive update on Kuraly yet, but he will not play on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day.

Kochetkov allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 5-4 loss in the Hurricanes' last game before the Christmas break but will likely return to the crease on Wednesday night. The 24-year-old netminder has started four straight and six of the last seven (3-1-2), steadying a Hurricanes' net that has been subpar all season, posting a .927 SV% while allowing fewer than two goals in four contests. The Hurricanes are -130 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).

Kuraly had to be helped off of the ice and was taken to hospital, where he was discharged after testing. Because of the Christmas break, there has yet to be an update on Kuraly's status, but consider him doubtful to play Wednesday.

Moser played 7:10 TOI before departing Saturday's game with an upper-body injury. Due to the Christmas break, there has been no update on Moser's status since leaving the game, so consider him questionable to play Wednesday vs. the Avalanche. Juuso Valimaki, who sat as a healthy scratch last game, will replace him in the lineup if he's unavailable.

Vlasic will draw back into the Sharks' lineup on Friday as they opt to dress seven defensemen against the Canucks. He has no goals and one assist in 17 games this season.

Addison has missed each of the last two games with a lower-body injury but was a game-time decision for Saturday's game in Vancouver. In 19 games with the Sharks, Addison has six points (1G / 5A), averaging 18:03 time-on-ice, including significant powerplay deployment.