NHL Hockey Player News

Perlini was a healthy scratch against New Jersey on Thursday but will replace John Hayden on Saturday. Perlini has three goals and one assist in 27 games with Philadelphia.

Klingberg was forced to leave Thursday’s game after blocking a shot but is ready to play in Carolina. Klingberg has cooled off recently, picking up just one goal and one assist in his last eight games.

Spooner has been with Bakersfield lately, scoring two goals with four assists (six points) in seven games. The 27-year-old heads to his third team of the season with three goals and two assists (five points) in 41 shots between the Rangers and Oilers this season.

Gagner was originally drafted by the Oilers back in 2007 and played seven seasons and 481 career games with Edmonton. The 29-year-old has only appeared in seven NHL games with Vancouver this season and has picked up 12 goals and 25 assists (37 points) in 43 AHL games while on loan with the Marlies. He is expected to report to the Oilers on Saturday.

Howard stopped 40 of 42 shots in the Red Wings win over the Senators on Thursday. Howard has won two in a row while stopping 72 of the last 76 shots (.947 SV%) that he faced. This afternoon he takes on a Flyers team that has won 10 of their last 12 (10-1-1) on the road, where he has gone 6-9-1 with a 2.95 GAA and .909 SV% this season.

Khudobin allowed five goals on 21 shots in the Stars loss in Tampa Bay on Thursday. Khudobin has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .922 SV% in five February starts. With Ben Bishop still out, Khudobin will make his 25th start of the season on Saturday. The 32-year-old has gone 5-8-3 with a 2.66 GAA and .921 SV% on the road this year.

Ladd has been out with a lower-body injury since November 13th. With the Islanders playing well there is no need to rush Ladd back, so he will play at least a couple of games with Bridgeport this weekend before likely returning to the Islanders next week.

Hickey has been out with an upper-body injury since December 17th. With the Islanders playing well there is no need to rush Hickey back, so he will play at least a couple of games with Bridgeport this weekend before likely returning to Brooklyn next week.

Hronek has split his 2019 season between the AHL and NHL, amassing 10 points (3G / 7A) in 23 games with the Red Wings and 23 points (7G / 16A) in 28 games with the Griffins. Hronek has the look of a future star in Detroit but it remains to be seen if he will be in the lineup on Saturday afternoon.

Ward allowed two goals on 43 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Devils on Thursday. Ward has won five consecutive games while allowing just 11 goals on 194 shots (.943 SV%). Ward has played extremely well as of late but draws a tough matchup vs. a Blue Jackets team that has won four of their last five while averaging 3.40 goals for per game.

Brossoit allowed five goals on 32 shots in the Jets loss in Ottawa last Saturday. Brossoit will get another crack at the Senators tonight and comes in having lost his last two starts while allowing a combined eight goals on 63 shots (.873 SV%). The 25-year-old has gone 5-0-1 with a 1.81 GAA and .953 SV% on home-ice this season.

Koskinen allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Oilers loss in Carolina last night. Koskinen has gone 0-4-1 with a 3.80 GAA and .871 SV% in his last six appearances. He hasn’t played well behind a team that is struggling but is a decent option tonight. The Islanders are racking up wins but they rarely score goals.

Byfuglien was missing from the Jets morning skate and will be held out of the lineup on Saturday due to a lower-body injury. Sami Niku will draw into the Jets lineup to replace big-bodied defenseman.

Price allowed three goals on 38 shots in the Canadiens loss in Nashville on Thursday. Price has lost two straight while allowing a combined seven goals on 70 shots (.900 SV%). Price allowed four goals on 36 shots in a 4-1 loss in his first game against the Lightning.

Vasilevskiy stopped all 32 shots in the Lightning’s shutout win over the Stars on Thursday. Vasilevskiy has won three in a row while allowing seven goals on 86 shots (.919 SV%). Vasilevskiy has gone 2-0-0 with a 3.00 GAA and .918 SV% in his first two starts against the Canadiens this season.

Nielsen was listed as questionable after missing Friday’s practice due to illness but was officially ruled out of Saturday’s afternoon tilt in Philadelphia. Nielsen will be replaced by Tyler Bertuzzi, who makes his return to the lineup after missing time with a concussion.

Lehner allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Islanders loss in Buffalo on Tuesday. Lehner has been alternating games with Thomas Greiss, who has been red-hot as of late, but it looks like Lehner will start Saturday vs. the Oilers. Lehner has gone 2-2-0 with a 2.51 GAA and .911 SV% in four games in February.

Murray allowed one goal on 39 shots in the Penguins win over the Oilers on Wednesday. Murray has been outstanding in his last two starts, stopping 88 of 90 shots (.978 SV%) to earn back-to-back wins. The 24-year-old stopped 38 of 39 shots in a 9-1 win in his first start against the Flames this season.