NHL Hockey Player News

The Rangers have lost four of their last five (1-4-0) and will turn to Shesterkin between the pipes on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks as they desperately try to stay within reach of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 29-year-old Shesterkin saved 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in his most recent outing but did not receive ample goal support in a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. he has a 2.80 GAA and .908 SV% in 54 games this season (24-26-4). The Rangers enter Friday's contest as -157 road favorites against the Ducks.

Holmberg did not play in Toronto's previous two games but he will re-enter the lineup on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 26-year-old forward is averaging 13:00 time-on-ice and has 15 points (6G / 9A) in 58 games this season.

Draisaitl was originally ruled out for Edmonton's game against Calgary on Saturday but will test out his injury during the team's morning skate and re-determine his availability. The 29-year-old Draisaitl has 101 points and leads the league with 49 goals through 68 games this season.

Hertl did not play in Vegas' previous game and will miss at least the next two as he continues recovering from an undisclosed ailment. The 31-year-old Hertl is averaging 17:07 time-on-ice and has 59 points (31G / 28A) in 70 games this season.

Pietrangelo did not play in Vegas' previous game due to a lower-body injury and will miss at least the next two games on their road trip. The 35-year-old Pietrangelo is averaging 22:29 time-on-ice and has 32 points (4G / 28A) in 67 games this season.

Leinonen was a second-round pick, 41st overall, of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old goalie has spent the 2024-25 season with Mora IK (Swe-1), posting a 2.31 GAA and .910 SV% in 25 games (13-10-0).

Zadorov did not play Boston's previous game due to personal reasons but has rejoined the team and is expected to play on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 29-year-old Zadorov is averaging 20:33 time-on-ice, recording 17 points (4G / 13A), a +14 plus/minus, 96 blocks, 183 hits, and 135 penalty minutes in 72 games this season.

Adam Boqvist will draw back into New York's lineup on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, sending Reilly to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Reilly is averaging 15:00 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 17 games this season.

Mike Reilly will be a healthy scratch on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing Boqvist to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Boqvist is averaging 13:34 time-on-ice and has 13 points (4G / 9A) in 31 games this season.

The Islanders are desperately trying to stay in contention for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Sorokin has a 2.76 GAA and .905 SV% in 54 games this season (27-21-6).

Buchnevich has missed four straight games but will return to the lineup on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old Buchnevich is averaging 18:55 time-on-ice and has 47 points (14G / 33A) in 68 games this season.

Stephenson has missed Seattle's previous three games but appears to be nearing a return after practicing on Friday. The 30-year-old Stephenson is averaging 19:30 time-on-ice and has 48 points (11G / 37A) in 69 games this season.

Since being acquired in a trade by Minnesota, Jiricek has spent most of his time in the AHL, and will now be sidelined for the remainder of the season. The highly skilled 21-year-old defenseman played six games with Minnesota, scoring two points (1G / 1A). He scored seven points (0G / 7A) in 27 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.

Kailer Yamamoto will draw back into Utah's lineup on Friday, sending Carcone to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Yamamoto has failed to scored a point in three games with Utah this season while averaging 10:40 time-on-ice.

Kailer Yamamoto will draw back into Utah's lineup on Friday, sending Carcone to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Carcone is averaging 11:26 time-on-ice and has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 52 games this season.

After a disastrous performance in yesterday's 8-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing four goals on 11 shots (.636 SV%), Vejmelka will return to the crease on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old Vejmelka struggled since the beginning of March, posting an ugly 3.21 GAA and .872 SV% in 12 games (5-5-2). He has a 2.62 GAA and .902 SV% in 49 games this season (21-20-6). Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +210 road underdogs against a Panthers team that will welcome newcomer Brad Marchand into the lineup for his team debut.

The Ducks are coming off a dominant 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins, where Gibson saved 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%). The 31-year-old Gibson will likely return to the crease on Friday against the New York Rangers, looking to build on his 2.72 GAA and .912 SV% in 28 appearances this season (11-10-2). The Ducks enter Friday's contest as +131 home underdogs against a Rangers club that has lost four of their last five (1-4-0) and is desperately trying to stay within reach of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Devils snapped a three-game losing skid in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks and will turn to Allen between the pipes on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 34-year-old Allen allowed three goals on 19 shots (.842 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. He has a 2.56 GAA and .912 SV% in 27 games this season (12-14-1). The Devils enter Friday's contest as +168 road underdogs against a Jets team that is 7-3-0 in their last 10 games.

Utah HC has recalled goalie Matt Villalta from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), swapping places with Jaxson Stauber. The 25-year-old Villalta has a 3.01 GAA and .906 SV% in 41 games (17-21-3) with Tucson this season.