NHL Hockey Player News

Heinen has been held pointless in his last five games and has just one goal and one assist in his last 12 games. David Backes will draw back into the lineup to replace Heinen.

Rask allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Bruins win over the Sabres on Sunday. Rask has turned things around recently, winning two in a row while stopping 63 of the 68 shots (.927 SV%) that he faced. He still has not lost in regulation on home-ice this season, going 10-0-5 with a 2.22 GAA, .925 SV% and two shutouts and gets set to face a Blue Jackets team that has been devastated by injuries.

Holl was a second-round pick of the Blackhawks back in 2010 but signed with the Maple Leafs in 2016. The 27-year-old defenseman has registered 11 points (1G / 10A) in 38 games this season, his first full-NHL campaign.

Carey Price has started seven straight games but has given up 11 goals in his last two games, so Lindgren will make his season debut in Carolina. The 26-year-old netminder was 7-6-2 with a 2.67 GAA and .893 SV% in 16 AHL games before being called up. He has previously suited up in 18 NHL games, going 8-8-2 with a 2.89 GAA and .912 SV%.

Filppula missed Sunday's game with an upper-body injury but is expected to draw back into the lineup tonight vs. the Sharks. Filppula, who has 14 points (3G / 11A) in 39 games this season will replace Andreas Athanasiou, who is out with a lower-body injury.

Bernier stopped 37 of 39 shots in the Red Wings 2-1 loss in Tampa Bay on Sunday. It was a strong outing from Bernier, who has gone 2-2-0 with a 2.21 GAA and .940 SV% in his last five starts. Despite playing for the worst team in the NHL, Bernier has played very well recently and draws a nice matchup tonight vs. San Jose--the Sharks have lost four straight on the road while scoring just 1.25 goals per game.

Haula was not on the ice for Monday's practice or Tuesday's morning skate but head coach Rod Brind'Amour is hopeful that Haula will be available vs. Montreal. Since returning to the lineup on December 21st, Haula has two goals and two assists (four points) in four games.

Athanasiou's difficult season gets worse as he'll now be out until at least mid-January with a lower-body injury. Athanasiou started to improve in the absence of Anthony Mantha, posting three assists with 13 shots in his last four games.

Guentzel injured his shoulder while falling awkwardly into the boards after scoring his 20th goal of the season and will miss at least four months. The Penguins have battled injuries all season-long and have managed to go 24-11-4 (2nd in the Metro) but this is a huge blow to their top-6.

Holtby allowed five goals on 28 shots in the Capitals 6-4 loss in Carolina on Saturday. Holtby has struggled mightily in his last two outings, allowing a combined nine goals on just 39 shots (.769 SV%). This afternoon he faces the Islanders for the first time this season. He is 8-1-3 with a 2.52 GAA and .918 SV% on home-ice.

Mrazek gave up four goals on 29 shots in the Hurricanes 6-4 win over the Capitals on Saturday. Mrazek has given up four goals in three straight outings, posting a .854 SV% in the process. In his first start against Montreal, Mrazek stopped 33 of 36 shots in a 4-3 shootout win (Oct.3).

Mrazek gave up four goals on 29 shots in the Hurricanes 6-4 win over the Capitals on Saturday. Mrazek has given up four goals in three straight outings, posting an .854 SV% in the process. In his first start against Montreal, Mrazek stopped 33 of 36 shots in a 4-3 shootout win (Oct.3).

Merzlikins was handed the loss after replacing Joonas Korpisalo in the shootout on Sunday. With Korpisalo out for at least one month, this will be a huge test for the 25-year-old Merzlikins. Tonight will be his first career start on home-ice and hopefully it goes better than his first eight road outings--0-4-4 with a 3.41 GAA and .889 SV%.

Smith was held pointless in five games with the Red Wings earlier in the year but has 13 points (4G / 9A) and 59 PIMS in 22 AHL games with Grand Rapids. With Valtteri Filppula out, Smith could draw into the lineup on Saturday.

Head coach John Tortorella said that Korpisalo would be out "weeks" but it is officially at least one month. The Blue Jackets will be without their starting netminder until early-to-mid February, forcing Elvis Merzlikins into the No.1 role for the first time in his career.

Ullmark allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Sabres 3-2 loss in Boston on Sunday. Ullmark has lost three straight while allowing a combined seven goals on 75 shots (.907 SV%) but will make his fifth consecutive start on Tuesday. In his first start against the Lightning, Ullmark allowed three goals on 34 shots in a 3-2 loss (Nov.8).

Jarry allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Penguins 5-2 win in Nashville last Friday. Jarry continues his amazing run, winning his last four while posting a 1.70 GAA, .942 SV% and one shutout. Since the middle of November, Jarry is tied for second in wins (10), second in GAA (1.74) and third in SV% (.943). He starts the week with a good home matchup. Ottawa has lost eight of its last nine road games (1-6-2) while scoring just 2.11 goals per game.

With Mikko Koivu expected to return to the Wild's lineup on Tuesday, Sturm heads back to Iowa where he has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 25 games this season.

Okhotyuk, 19, was a second-round pick (No.61 overall) in this summer's draft and hast picked up five assists in 10 games with the Ottawa 67's (OHL).