NHL Hockey Player News

Buchnevich has just one assist in his last 10 games and head coach Alian Vigneault called his play “so-so” and that will lead to him being replaced by Matt Puempel on Thursday.

Puempel has been a healthy scratch in four straight games, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday. Puempel has six goals and one assist (seven points) in 18 games since being claimed from Ottawa. He will replace Pavel Buchnevich in the lineup.

Schneider allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Devils’ win over the Avalanche on Tuesday. Schneider has won three of his last four starts while posting a strong 1.76 GAA and .943 SV%. The 30-year-old has not faced the Senators this season, but has gone 12-6-3 with a 2.42 GAA and .917 SV% at the Prudential Center this season.

LaDue was sent down during the Kings bye week and returns with the Kings back in action on Thursday. LaDue had one assist while averaging 15:33 TOI in his first two career NHL games. He has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 37 games with Ontario.

Kempe, 20, was a first round pick in 2014 (29th overall) and is set to make his NHL debut following Wednesday’s promotion. The Swedish winger has 11 goals and eight assists (19 points) in 43 games with Ontario and could make his NHL debut on a line with Anze Kopitar.

Dano has been sidelined by a lower-body injury since December 29th, but is nearing a return to the Jets’ lineup. The 22-year-old had 10 points (3G / 7A) in 28 games before getting hurt and how much he practices on the road trip will indicate how close he is to returning.

Goldobin, 21, has recorded 13 goals and 24 assists (37 points) in 43 games with the Barracuda this season. He had one goal and one assist in nine NHL games a season ago and his season debut could come on Wednesday.

Megan, 26, has registered 23 goals and 22 assists (45 points) in 50 games with Chicago (AHL) this season and one goal in one NHL game. He will draw in on the Blues’ fourth line tonight.

Gilbert has only appeared in 18 NHL games this season, recording one goal and four assists (five points). During his time in Ontario, the 11-year veteran tallied one assist in five games and will report to Hershey (AHL) following his trade to Washington.

Hutton stopped all 26 shots that he faced in the Blues’ shutout win in Philadelphia on February 6th. Hutton has started 15 games this season, but has appeared in a total of 23 and comes into Wednesday at 8-7-2 with a 2.66 GAA and .902 SV%. In his only career start against the Red Wings, he was pulled after allowing three goals on four shots.

McElhinney allowed a single goal on 40 shots in the Maple Leafs’ win over the Stars on February 7th. McElhinney has gone 2-2-0 with a 2.12 GAA and .935 SV% in four games since being claimed by the Maple Leafs. Tonight he will face the Blue Jackets, who for for three and a half seasons. Columbus comes in having lost four of their last six games.

Vermette has been suspended for 10 games because of his slash on a linesman last night. Vermette took a chop at a linesman after a face-off and is not eligible to play until March 12th vs. the Capitals. Expect Jared Boll to be back in the lineup on Friday, unless the Ducks make a call-up.

Niemi allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Stars’ loss in Toronto last Tuesday. Kari Lehtonen started the last three games, but Niemi will go tonight in Winnipeg. Niemi has had almost no success on the road this season, going 2-5-2 with a 4.41 GAA and .869 SV% in eight starts and three relief appearances.

Andersen allowed three gaols on 23 shots in the Maple Leafs’ loss to the Sabres on Saturday. Andersen has lost his last three starts while allowing a combined 11 goals on 97 shots (.887 SV%). One of those losses came against the Islanders, who he’ll face again tonight. He allowed six goals on 34 shots in a 6-5 OT loss two Mondays’s ago.

Elliott allowed one goal on nine shots after replacing Chad Johnson in the Flames’ loss to the Coyotes on Monday. Elliott has gone 3-1-0 with a 2.51 GAA and .913 SV% in his last five outings and tonight he’’ face the Flyers. The 31-year-old comes into Wednesday with a 5-6-0 record, 2.54 GAA and .906 SV% in 13 home appearances this season.

Domingue allowed four goals on 25 shots in the Coyotes’ loss in Minnesota in his last outing. Mike Smith started the last nine games, including last night, so Domingue will go tonight in Edmonton. He has gone 2-8-1 with a 4.16 GAA and .870 SV% in 13 road appearances this season.