NHL Hockey Player News

Koekkoek has been a healthy scratch for the last 18 games so the Lightning have sent him down to get some playing time. The 24-year-old, who has just one goal in nine games with Tampa Bay this season, had 13 points (2G / 11A) in 48 games the last time he was in the AHL (2016-17).

Kaskisuo spent some time in the AHL and ECHL last season but has gone 3-5-0 with a 4.12 GAA and .866 SV% in 11 games with the Marlies this season. Kaskisuo figures to serve as Garret Sparks’ backup on Saturday with Frederik Andersen dealing with a groin injury.

Frederik Andersen was on the ice for Friday’s optional morning skate and stayed on late for extra work with Garret Sparks starting in Columbus. The Maple Leafs announced that their No.1 netminder is day-to-day with a groin injury and Kasimir Kaskisuo was recalled to serve as Sparks’ backup on Saturday. The Maple Leafs are not well equipped to deal with Andersen being sidelined long-term after losing Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard in training camp, so they are hoping this is a minor groin injury.

Lehner was scheduled to start the front-end of the Islanders back-to-back on Friday with Greiss going on Saturday but head coach Barry Trotz elected to switch it up. Greiss has been steady all season and is a great option against a below-average Senators team.

Sparks allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Maple Leafs come-from-behind overtime win vs. Detroit last Sunday. Sparks is now 5-1-1 despite a below-average 3.00 GAA and .908 SV% this season. He will have to be great tonight as he goes head-to-head with Sergei Bobrovsky but he catches a break with the Blue Jackets playing last night.

Backes will miss Saturday’s game in Buffalo, the Winter Classic and next Thursday’s game vs. the Flames before being eligible to play next Saturday vs. the Sabres.

Gibson suffered an upper-body injury in the first period of Thursday’s game and did not return for the second period. The Ducks recalled Kevin Boyle from San Diego (AHL) on Friday, which suggests that Gibson will not be available for Saturday’s game. Look for Chad Johnson to start while Gibson is sidelined.

Boyle has been recalled because John Gibson suffered an upper-body injury on Thursday. Boyle figures to serve as Chad Johnson’s backup on Saturday.

Hall will miss his second straight game and fourth game in the last eight due to a lower-body injury. The Devils don’t seem overly concerned about Hall missing an extended period of time so he could be back early next week.

Kruger missed the last four games with a concussion but is set to return to the lineup on Saturday. Jacob Nilsson was sent back to the AHL to open up a roster spot for Kruger, who has just five points (4G / 1A) in 33 games.

Nilsson, 25, failed to record a point in two games during his call-up. With Marcus Kruger set to return to the lineup on Saturday, Nilsson returns to the AHL where he has 14 points (6G / 8A) in 31 games.

Seabrook missed Friday’s practice because of an illness but will travel to Colorado for Saturday’s game. The Blackhawks are playing a bit better as of late but Seabrook has been held pointless with a minus-1 rating in his last five games.

Patrick is expected to miss the rest of the Flyers road-trip, which consists of three games in four days. Patrick was forced to leave Tuesday’s game in Tampa Bay after logging 7:03 TOI and did not return. Jordan Weal will replace him in the lineup on Saturday.

Hanzal is dealing with a lingering back issue which ruined his 2017-18 campaign. It looks like that could happen again in 2018-19 as he has no timetable for his return.

Dickinson is dealing with back spasms and is officially listed as day-to-day. His movement to IR is retroactive to December 22nd, so he can return to the active roster whenever he is healthy.