NHL Hockey Player News

Zuccarello left Tuesday’s game vs. the Canadiens early, playing just 14:53 TOI in the win. Zuccarello is day-to-day and is very likely to miss Friday’s game in Detroit and Saturday’s game in Columbus.

Juulsen recorded two assists against the Islanders on Monday but failed to register a point in 16:01 TOI on Tuesday. The young defenseman has played well so far this season, but has come out of the lineup to allow Karl Alzner to play a couple of times and will do so again tonight.

Alzner has been a healthy scratch far more than he has played this season, sitting out of 11 of the first 15 games of the season. Alzner, who has five shots while averaging 17:35 TOI/GM, will replace Noah Juulsen vs. the Sabres.

Armia was forced to leave Tuesday’s game in New York and was not on the ice for Thursday’s morning skate. Armia will come out of the lineup vs. the Sabres, which means Tomas Tatar will play on the top power-play unit and Kenny Agostino was called-up to play on the third line and second power-play.

Agostino has dominated the AHL throughout his career, but has had very limited NHL success. The 26-year-old has 10 points (4G / 6A) in 12 games with Laval this season, but just six points (2G / 4A) in 22 career NHL games with the Flames, Blues and Bruins. Agostino could make his Canadiens debut tonight.

Price surrendered five goals on 32 shots in the Canadiens loss in New York on Tuesday. Price started the season 4-1-2 with a 2.13 GAA, .922 SV% and one shutout, but has lost three of his last four starts with a 4.03 GAA and .867 SV%. Price will try to get back on track against a Sabres team that has lost four of their last five games.

Kuemper allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Coyotes loss to the Flyers on Monday. With Antti Raanta battling a lower-body injury, Kuemper is expected to start for the second straight game. He will face the Flyers again tonight, but has been solid so far this season—posting a 2.02 GAA and .936 SV% in four games.

Pickard allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Flyers win in Arizona on Monday. Even with Brian Elliott back from injury, Pickard will make his third consecutive start on Thursday. He has had a tough season, but has stopped 65 of 71 shots (.916 SV%) in his last two outings. Pickard has a solid matchup as he closes out a home-and-home with the Coyotes.

Luongo allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Panthers win against the Jets in Finland. It was an impressive return to the crease for Luongo, who had been sidelined since October 6th. So far this season, Luongo has stopped 45 of 47 shots (.958 SV%) and makes for a decent option against an Oilers team that will be playing their eighth game in 13 days.

van Riemsdyk joined the Flyers morning skate in a regular jersey, suggesting he has been cleared for contact. van Riemsdyk won’t play on Thursday and is unlikely for Saturday, but could be back some time next week.

Staal was a late scratch from Tuesday’s game in San Jose and may not play Thursday either. Staal traveled to Los Angeles, but is questionable to play vs. the Kings. Matt Read was recalled from Iowa (AHL) to play if Staal can’t.

Read did not record a point in five games with the Wild this season, but has two points (1G / 1A) in seven AHL games. Read’s call-up suggests that Eric Staal and Matt Hendricks will be unavailable on Thursday.

The Lightning announced on Wednesday that Palat is not progressing like they hoped and announced this morning that he will be shutdown for four weeks. With Palat out, J.T. Miller is expected to remain in the Lightning’s top-6 through November and into December.

Miller allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Ducks loss to the Flyers on October 30th. Miller has started three games this season, allowing just eight goals on 111 shots (.928 SV%). Tonight he has a tough task with the Flames in town. The Ducks are on the tail-end of a back-to-back and Calgary is tied for sixth in goal-scoring (3.47 GF/PG).

Rinne stopped all 26 shots that he faced in the Predators shutout win over the Bruins on Saturday. Since returning from injury, Rinne has gone 2-0-0 while allowing just one goal on 69 shots (.986 SV%). Rinne is a must-start the way he is playing right now, but playing in Colorado is a tough task—the Avalanche are 3-1-1 wit a 3.40 goals for per game on home-ice this season.

Holtby allowed four goals on 37 shots in the Capitals loss to the Stars on Saturday. Pheonix Copley started Tuesday, so look for Holtby to be back between the pipes tonight. Holtby has lost three straight games while allowing a combined 12 goals on 111 shots (.892 SV%). In his first start against the Penguins, the 29-year-old allowed seven goals on 41 shots in a 7-6 OT loss.

Miska has gone 3-3-1 with a 3.11 GAA and .901 SV% in seven starts with Tucson this season. Miska has been recalled to serve as the Coyotes backup while Antti Raanta is sidelined with a lower-body injury.

Raanta left Tuesday’s practice for “precautionary” reasons, but the Coyotes labeled him as day-to-day. With Raanta still battling injury, Hunter Miska was recalled from Tucson (AHL) and is expected to backup Darcy Kuemper on Thursday.

Haula was stretchered off of the ice after a collision with Patrick Marleau on Tuesday and will miss the rest of the Golden Knights’ road-trip. Haula will likely be re-evaluated once the Golden Knights return to Vegas and a full timetable will be released. However, this has to seem like positive news because it looked like his season could be over last night.