NHL Hockey Player News

The Panthers signed Steven Kampfer to two-year contract extension.

Kampfer, 26, has appeared in 18 games with Florida this season, registering three points (1G / 2A) with 18 shots on goal. During his career in the NHL, he has played in 79 games for Florida (2015), Minnesota (2011-2012) and Boston (2010-2012), scoring eight goals with 10 assists and 24 penalty minutes.

Steve Kampfer
Pavelec will start on Saturday vs. Tampa Bay.

Pavelec allowed one goal on 20 shots after replacing Michael Hutchinson in the Jets loss to the Blues on Tuesday. The lone goal he gave up was a floater from outside the offensive zone that turned out to be the game-winner. It was an ugly goal and an ugly way to lose. He will have a tough time redeeming himself because of a tough matchup tonight in Tampa Bay.

Ondrej Pavelec
The Jets have activated Matt Halischuk (undisclosed) from injured reserve.

Halischuk has been out since January 31st, but he was activated from IR on Friday and he is expiated to be in the lineup tonight vs. the Lightning. Halischuk has seven points (2G / 5A) in 38 games this season.

Matt Halischuk
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
The Blue Jackets have sent Luke Adam back to Springfield (AHL).

Adam averaged just 6:27 TOI in three games during his recall. His return to the AHL suggests that Brandon Dubinsky is ready to return to the lineup.

Luke Adam
Vasilevskiy gets the nod on Saturday vs. Winnipeg.

Vasilevskiy allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Lightning’s 5-4 win over the Stars last Saturday. Tonight will be his one start of the week, that he is expected to get for the remainder of the season. He has won each of his last two starts while stopping 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%). He has never faced the Jets and has never lost at home—3-0-0 / 2.02 GAA / .934 SV%.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Lindback will start Saturday for the Sabres.

Lindback allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Sabres 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. He has gone 0-2-1 with a 3.16 GAA and .914 SV% in three starts and one relief appearance since being traded to the Sabres. He draws a terrible matchup tonight with the red-hot Rangers in town.

Anders Lindback
Visnovsky will be a healthy scratch on Saturday.

Visnovsky was a minus-1 with one assist last night, but will be given the night off tonight to allow Matt Donovan to play in just his 10th game of the season. The Islanders have given the 38-year-old blue liner a few nights off this season to keep those veteran legs fresh.

Lubomir Visnovsky
Neuvirth starts Saturday against the Canadiens.

Neuvirth allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Islanders win over the Maple Leafs on Monday. Jaroslav Halak started the last two games, but it will be Neuvirth tonight vs. Montreal. He has gone 1-0-1 with a 2.78 GAA and .860 SV% in his first two starts with the Islanders.

Michal Neuvirth
Ward is in the starter's crease this morning.

Ward allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Hurricanes 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. He was given Thursday night off, but it looks like he will start tonight vs. Florida. Ward has gone 11-7-4 with a 1.97 GAA and .922 SV% at home this season.

Cam Ward
Peters is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Peters saw his first action since February 15th last night when he came in to relieve Braden Holtby in the Capitals 4-2 loss to the Stars. He stopped all nine shots that he face, but he evidently suffered a lower-body injury in the process. Look for Holtby to start on Sunday.

Justin Peters
Umberger will have right hip and abdominal surgery—out for the season.

It was believed that Umberger was a healthy scratch for the last two games, but it turns out he needs surgery and is done for the next 10 weeks. He finishes the year with 15 points (9G / 6A) in 67 games.

R.J. Umberger
Varlamov starts Saturday vs. the Flames.

Varlamov allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Avs’ 2-1 shootout win over New Jersey on Thursday. Varlamov has been spectacular, winning four in a row while posting a 0.75 GAA and .976 SV%. Tonight he gets the nod in a pivotal matchup against the Flames. He allowed four goals on 25 shots in a 4-3 OT loss in their last meeting.

Semyon Varlamov