NHL Hockey Player News

Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres as he continues to nurse his ailment. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine. If he can play, he will likely skate alongside J.J. Moser at even strength and quarterback the top powerplay unit.

Vladar was relieved by Dustin Wolf in the second period in his last start after allowing three goals on 16 shots (.813 SV%) and will likely return to the crease on Monday in Colorado against the Avalanche. As a whole, Vladar has been inconsistent this season, sporting an ugly 3.45 GAA and .877 SV% through eight games (4-3-1). In addition, he only has two quality starts (.250 QS%) and has been difficult to rely upon this season. The Flames are +155 road underdogs against an Avalanche team that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2).

Kiviranta has primarily played this season on the fourth line, most recently alongside Kurtis MacDermid and Andrew Cogliano, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 14 games, averaging 10:57 time-on-ice. He is currently battling an illness and will be a game-time decision on Monday against the Calgary Flames.

Manson scored two points (1G / 1A) on Saturday but suffered an undisclosed injury at some point and will be a game-time decision on Monday against the Calgary Flames. Most recently, Manson has skated on the second defensive pairing with Bowen Byram and has five points (2G / 3A), 12 hits, and 12 shots in his last five games.

Zacha exited Saturday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes with an upper-body injury after playing only 6:42 time-on-ice. Zacha has centred the top line and top powerplay unit all season, scoring 19 points (8G / 11A) in 26 games, averaging 18:22 time-on-ice. Morgan Geekie is expected to center the top line between Jake DeBrusk and David Pastrnak during Zacha's absence.

Reimer made his first appearance on Saturday since November 16th, entering the game in relief, saving all 11 shots he faced in a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Reimer regularly saw action in the Red Wings crease before Alex Lyon emerged and demanded starting time with his strong play. In seven games this season, Reimer has played mostly well, posting a 2.18 GAA and .922 SV% in the process. The Red Wings, however, are without Dylan Larkin and J.T. Compher and, as such, are sizeable +189 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has lost three of four games.

Larkin exited Saturday's contest against the Ottawa Senators, playing only 5:26 time-on-ice, after a scary incident that left him motionless on the ice for several moments. Larkin was able to skate off the ice with the help of his teammates but will be out of the lineup for a minimum of one week as he has been placed on the injured reserve. Zach Aston-Reese and Austin Czarnik have both been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Larkin's absence creates a void at the center-ice position for the Red Wings, who are already without J.T. Compher (soreness).

McTavish has missed the last three games for the Ducks but appears to be nearing a return, likely at some point on their upcoming four-game road trip. Before his injury, McTavish was held without a point in four straight games, recording a -7 plus/minus and six shots on goal.

Zegras has not played since November 7th but could return to the lineup for the Ducks on their upcoming four-game road trip. Zegras struggled to start the season but was presumably playing through his current injury, scoring only two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games. Expect Zegras to get top offensive deployment immediately when he returns to the lineup.

Drysdale has not played since October 15th due to a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup at some point during the Ducks' upcoming four-game road trip. Drysdale has struggled to stay healthy during his young NHL career, but the 21-year-old has 42 points (7G / 35A) in 115 career games and has the offensive pedigree that could make him a staple on the powerplay for the Ducks.

Georgiev had the night off in Colorado's 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday but will likely return to the crease on Monday against the Calgary Flames. The Avalanche have struggled lately, paralleled by Georgiev, who has lost three of his last four starts (1-2-1), salvaging a serviceable .907 SV%. Working to his advantage is a favourable matchup as the Avalanche are -170 home favourites against a Flames team that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0), scoring three or fewer goals in each contest.

Rust missed three games late last month and will once again be sidelined on a week-to-week basis with an upper-body injury. This is a devasting blow for a Penguins team that has struggled offensively lately, scoring only three total goals in their last three games (0-2-1). Before his injury, Rust was having a terrific season, scoring 20 points (10G / 10A) in 22 games.

Tinordi has missed the last three games and has now been placed on the injured reserve due to a concussion. The Blackhawks have recalled Filip Roos as a replacement in the interim. Before his injury, Tinordi had one point (0G / 1A), 21 blocks, and 32 hits in 12 games this season.

Roos has been recalled from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL as Jarred Tinordi has been placed on the injured reserve due to a concussion. The 24-year-old Roos has four points (1G / 3A) and a -6 plus/minus in 16 games with the IceHogs this season.

Lagesson did not play the last two games for the Maple Leafs due to an illness but could potentially return to the lineup on Monday against the New York Islanders. Lagesson is averaging 15:00 time-on-ice, has one point (0G / 1A), and 25 hits in 14 games, skating primarily alongside Simon Benoit.

An injury to Joseph Wall thrust Samsonov back into the crease on Saturday after not playing in five games, but the Russian netminder played one of his best performances of the season, saving all 18 shots he faced in a 4-0 win over the Nashville Predators for his first shutout. Samsonov has been wildly inconsistent this season, posting a 3.21 GAA and .886 SV% through 11 games (5-1-3), but will hope his most recent performance can spark a string of solid play. The Maple Leafs are -116 road favourites on Monday against a New York Islanders team that is suddenly scoring at a high rate, scoring three or more goals in each of their last six contests (4-1-1).

Sorokin was terrific in his last game, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime victory over the high-flying Los Angeles Kings and will start again on Monday. Sorokin has had an up-and-down season, highlighted by his lower-than-usual .588 quality start percentage. In addition, Sorokin is also sporting career lows in save percentage (.913) and goals against average (3.12). However, the Islanders have points in their last five games (4-0-1) and are only slight +106 home underdogs against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who also have points in five straight (4-0-1).

Hintz was a very late scratch from the Stars contest on Saturday due to an illness, but after being a full participant at the morning skate on Monday, will likely return to the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings. Hintz has played well this season, scoring 22 points (10G / 12A) in 24 games, but has not yet been able to build on his point-per-game pace from the 2022-23 campaign when he scored 75 points (37G / 38A) in 73 games. Assuming he returns to the lineup, he should slot back into his familiar place, centring Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson.