NHL Hockey Player News

Rask allowed five goals on 31 shots in the Bruins loss in Montreal on Tuesday. If there is a team you'd expect him to struggle against, it's Montreal, but a matchup vs. the Red Wings is one you'd expect him to thrive in. He is 2-1-0 with a .904 SV% on the road this season but the Red Wings are the worst team in hockey right now (4-12-1) and rank last in goal-scoring (2.06 GF/gm).

Varlamov stopped all 27 shots that he faced in the Islanders shutout win in Buffalo last Saturday. Varlamov has won five in a row while posting a 1.58 GAA, .947 SV% and one shutout. On Thursday, he will face a Penguins team that is 3-3-0 despite averaging 4.17 goals per game on the road this season.

Blackwood stopped 32 of the 33 shots that he faced in the Devils win in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Blackwood will be making his fourth straight start tonight after going 2-0-1 with a .923 SV% in the previous three. A road meeting with the Flames is a tough assignment though, especially for a goalie with a .885 road SV% so far this season.

Rinne stopped 23 of the 24 shots that he faced in an easy win over the Red Wings on Monday. It was a nice bounce-back game from the veteran netminder, who allowed six goals on 27 shots in his previous outing. He is 2-0-0 while stopping 56 of 59 (.949 SV%) in his only two road starts of the season and faces an Avalanche team without two of their top forwards and No.1 netminder.

Stalock allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Wild's win in Anaheim on Tuesday. Stalock has outplayed Devan Dubnyk early-on but he's been pretty average, going 3-3-0 with a 2.42 GAA and .917 SV%. Even though the Sharks haven't played their best though 16 games, it's still not a great spot for Stalock.

Demers will not be in the lineup on Thursday night, so look for Ilya Lyubushkin to suit up. Monitor Demers' status leading up to Saturday's game vs. the Wild.

Klingberg's MRI revealed positive results and the star defenseman could end up missing just a couple of weeks. Klingberg likely won't be out more than a month and his injury opens the door for Miro Heiskanen to play massive minutes at even-strength and on the power-play.

Jones allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Sharks win over the Blackhawks on Tuesday. It was Jones' first win since October 16th and moved him to 3-3-0 with a 2.86 GAA and .905 SV% on home-ice this year. He has a chance to win two in a row with the Wild in town. Minnesota gives up the eighth most goals (3.40 GA/gm) and averages the fifth-fewest goals for (2.47) in the NHL.

Grubauer is dealing with a nagging lower-body issue that will cost him a few games but nothing long-term. Pavel Francouz will start for him on Thursday and Adam Werner was called-up to serve as his backup while Grubauer is sidelined.

Hintz missed Tuesday's game with a lower-body injury and was originally considered day-to-day but head coach Jim Montgomery announced that their No.2 centre will miss two weeks. Jason Dickinson skated as the Stars No.2 centre last night, so look for that to continue while Hintz is out. Joe Pavelski could always shift back to centre as well.

Kubalik has recorded three goals and three assists in 14 games this season but will come out of the lineup on Thursday. Kubalik will be replaced by Zack Smith.

Smith was a healthy scratch for the last two games but will suit up in his eighth game on Thursday. Smith, who will replace Dominik Kubalik, has no points in seven games.

Francouz allowed three goals on 28 shots in Colorado's loss in Arizona last Saturday. With Philipp Grubauer sidelined, Francouz should get a couple of starts this week, which makes him a worthwhile pickup for owners desperate for goalie starts. He has a .919 SV% in four appearances but the Predators come to town leading the NHL in goal-scoring (4.00 GF/gm).

Holden has played in all 16 games this season but is expected to be replaced by Deryk England on Thursday. Holden has two goals and two assists in 16 games this season.

Cave appeared in three straight games with the Oilers but has been reassigned to Bakersfield, where he's got three assists in six games. Markus Granlund will likely replace him vs. the Devils on Friday.

Kuemper allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Coyotes win in Edmonton on Monday. Antti Raanta gave him the night off on Tuesday but the Coyotes will come right back to the red-hot Kuemper on Thursday. In his last eight starts, Kuemper is 7-1-0 with a 1.73 GAA, .939 SV% and one shutout. You wouldn't dare bench him in any matchup but certainly not vs. a Blue Jackets team that is averaging the second-least goals per game (2.33).

Wagner has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace Carl Grundstrom in the lineup on Thursday. Wagner has two goals and one assist in 11 games this season.

Grundstrom has in the lineup for the last three games but will be replaced by Austin Wagner on Thursday. Grundstrom has two assists while playing 14:22 ATOI in four games this season.

Davidson has had a tremendous start to the AHL season, posting 10 points (2G / 8A) in 10 games with the Heat. Davidson replaces Oscar Kylington on the roster but is expected to serve as the No.7 defensemen on Thursday.