NHL Hockey Player News

DeSmith will draw the start for the first time in five games due to Vancouver being on a back-to-back as he is set to take on San Jose Saturday. The 32-year-old backup netminder was traded to Vancouver earlier in the season and has done well when called upon with his 4-1-1 record, 2.89 GAA and .917 SV%. He will face the league worst San Jose Sharks, who have lost three straight games and are last in the NHL in goals (1.5) and shots per game (24.7).

Prosvetov will get the start for just the third time this season as the Avalanche are set to play their second game in as many nights. Prosvetov last appeared on November 11th when he surrendered two goals on 14 shots after relieving starter Alexandar Georgiev in an 8-2 defeat to the Blues. The 24-year-old netminder owns an .899 SV% and a 2.90 GAA on the season. He'll have a great chance at picking up his second win of the season on Saturday with the Avalanche being -170 favourties over the Flames.

Vladar will get the call for the tail-end of Calgary's back-to-back after starter Jacob Markstrom got the nod in Friday's 7-4 win over the Stars. Vladar's last appearance came on Monday against the Kraken, when he stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced enroute to the 4-3 victory. He draws a difficult road assignement on Saturday with the Flames being +140 underdogs to the Avalanche.

Thompson has backed up Adin Hill for the Golden Knights' previous two games but will take the crease back Saturday as they head host Arizona. The 26-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to his 2023-24 season while splitting starts, with his 5-2-1 record, 2.48 GAA and .920 SV%. He will face the Arizona Coyotes, who is looking to snap a three-game losing streak and are struggling to get pucks on net as they are 30th in the NHL in shots per game (27.7).

Sorokin will return to the Islanders' crease after backup Semyon Varlamov got the nod for Friday's game in Ottawa. Sorokin is coming off one of his best starts of the season, denying 34 of the 36 shots he faced in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Flyers. The 28-year-old netminder owns a 5-3-4 record on the year to go along with his .909 SV% and 3.21 GAA.

Hischier has not played since exiting October 27th's game against the Sabres following an illegal check to the head by Connor Clifton. New Jersey's captain had endured a slow start prior to the injury, registering just two goals and zero assists in his opening seven games. He'll return to centre the Devils' second line tonight.

Vanecek allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Devils' loss in Detroit on Wednesday. Vanecek has struggled in his last five outings, going 1-3-0 with an .860 SV%. Tonight he'll face the Sabres, as -166 home favourites. Buffalo come in ranking 24th in the NHL in GF/60 (2.83).

Jokiharju has two goals, five assists, 18 SOG, two PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 18 games this season but will be a healthy scratch Saturday vs. New Jersey. Isak Rosen will make his debut in Jokiharju's place.

Comrie will take the crease for the first time in four games as he takes on New Jersey on the road Saturday. The 28-year-old has struggled as Buffalo's third goaltender this season, with his 1-2-0 record, 2.62 GAA, and .898 SV%. He will take on the New Jersey Devils, who are trying to right the ship after three straight loses and are 12th in the NHL in goals per game.

Brink has four goals, six assists, 25 SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 16 games this season but will be the odd man out of the Flyers' lineup Saturday vs. the New York Islanders. The 22-year-old right-winger will be replaced by Morgan Frost in the Flyers' lineup.

Ersson has backed up the Flyers' crease for the last two games but with Philadelphia on the second half of a back-to-back he will likely start Saturday. The 24-year-old has struggled to duplicate his success from last season with his 3-3-1 record, .863 SV% and 3.22 GAA. He takes on the surprisingly hot New York Islanders, who have won three-straight games but are 29th in the NHL in goals per game (2.68).

Jarry will retake the crease Saturday vs. Toronto after backing up two of the Penguins' previous three games. The 28-year-old netminder is leading the NHL in shutouts (3) but has a weak record (6-8-0) despite impressive counting stats with his 2.47 GAA and .916 SV%. He will take the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are on the back end of a back-to-back where they lost to Chicago 4-3 in overtime Friday.