NHL Hockey Player News

Brouwer has played in the last nine games but will be a healthy scratch on Saturday with Alex Steen returning to the lineup. Brouwer has just one goal, eight shots and a plus-1 rating in nine games this year.

Crawford allowed five goals on 37 shots in the Blackhawks loss in Vegas on Tuesday. Crawford has gone 1-3-0 with a 3.66 GAA and .874 SV% in his last four starts and one relief appearance. Tonight he faces the Blues for the second time this season--he allowed four goals on 30 shots in a 4-0 loss in Chicago 12 days ago.

Steen has been out since November 6th but will play Saturday against the Blackhawks. Steen, who will replace Troy Brouwer on the third line, has five assists in 17 games this season.

Blandisi getting called up again suggests that Evgeny Malkin could miss a second straight game. Blandisi has three points (1G / 2A) in 12 games with the Penguins this season.

Varlamov allowed one goal on 32 shots in the Islanders win in Tampa Bay on Monday. Varlamov has won three in a row while stopping 92 of the 96 shots (.958 SV%) that he has faced. The 31-year-old has gone 5-2-1 with a 2.73 GAA and .914 SV% on home-ice this season and is a must-start regardless of his matchup right now.

Samsonov allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Capitals' win in Los Angeles on December 4th. Braden Holtby started the last three games but Samsonov will start the first of Washington's two-game road trip. The 22-year-old has been impressive this season, going 7-2-1 with a 2.42 GAA and .917 SV% but has a brutal road matchup against a Lightning team that is second in the NHL in goal-scoring (3.57 GF/gm).

Binnnington allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Blues win over the Golden Knights on Thursday. It was a much-needed outing for Binnington, who had played poorly in his previous two starts. Today he faces a Blackhawks team that is 3-7-2 in their last 12 in St. Louis, where he is 9-3-3 with a 2.23 GAA, .926 SV% and one shutout this year. Don't hesitate to start Binnnington.

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Blue Jackets' loss in Florida last Saturday. The 25-year-old is still looking for his first NHL win, as he has started the year 0-4-3 with a 3.30 GAA and .894 SV% in seven starts and one relief appearance. Today he takes on a Senators team that has lost seven of their last nine while scoring 2.33 goals per game.

Stalock allowed five goals on 39 shots in the Wild's loss in Carolina last Saturday. Kaapo Kahkonen started the last two games but Stalock will get the nod Saturday vs. the visiting Flyers. He has been terrific in Minnesota this year, going 4-0-0 with a 1.56 GAA and .946 SV% on home-ice. Philadelphia is banged up right now but has won six of their last nine road games, so Stalock comes with some risk tonight.

Ullmark allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Sabres win over the Predators on Thursday. Ullmark has won three consecutive games while posting a 2.32 GAA and .928 SV%. Today he will start for the sixth time in seven games and has gone 4-4-1 with a 3.13 GAA, .910 SV% and one shutout on the road this year.

Leddy has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but head coach Barry Trotz said that he will take part in warmups on Saturday afternoon, making him a game-time decision. Leddy would likely replace Noah Dobson if he plays.

Mete will not play Saturday vs. the Red Wings but will travel to Western Canada with the team next week, suggesting he could play before the Christmas break. The Habs have gone 4-2-0 without Mete.

Kotkaniemi will not play Saturday vs. the Red Wings but will travel to Western Canada with the team next week, suggesting he could play before the Christmas break. The Habs have gone 4-2-0 without Kotkaniemi.

Byron appeared to be close to returning to the lineup when he was a full participant in Friday's practice, but he'll remain in Montreal while the team travels to Western Canada next week. Ryan Poehling will remain in Montreal's lineup with Byron out.

Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Lightning's win over the Bruins on Thursday. Vasilevskiy has won three in a row while posting a 1.33 GAA and .958 SV%. The 25-year-old is heating up but draws a tough matchup with the Capitals in town--Vasilevskiy allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 OT loss in his first start against Washington.