NHL Hockey Player News

Bergeron has been out since November 16th but he could return Saturday vs. the Predators. Bergeron, who had 26 points (9G / 17A) in 19 games before getting hurt, centred the top line with Brad Marchand and Danton Heinen on his wings in Friday’s practice.

Halak stopped 24 of 25 shots in the Bruins win over the Ducks on Thursday. Halak has been great in his last two starts, stopping 46 of the last 47 shots (.979 SV%) that he has faced. This afternoon he will face the Predators for the season time this season—he made 39 saves on 40 shots in a 1-0 loss in the first meeting (Nov.3).

Stafford has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace Marcus Johansson on Friday after Johnasson was moved to IR. Stafford has just two points (1G / 1A) in nine games this season.

Johnasson was hurt in Columbus last night and was moved to IR prior to tonight’s game vs. the Senators. Drew Stafford will draw into the Devils lineup to replace Johansson.

McCabe will draw back into the Sabres lineup for the first time since November 29th. McCabe was solid before getting hurt, picking up 10 points (2G / 8A) in 25 games.

Pilut has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury but will return tonight in Washington. The AHL standout has two assists and three shots on goal in six games since being recalled.

Hutton allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Sabres loss to the Panthers on Tuesday. Hutton has played very well this season but has lost four of his last five starts while allowing a combined 15 goals on 161 shots (.907 SV%). Tonight he faces the Capitals for the second time in less than a week—he allowed three goals on 38 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss in Washington last Saturday.

DeMelo has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but will play tonight in New Jersey. DeMelo has enjoyed a quality campaign, picking up eight points (3G / 5A), 44 SOG and a plus-9 rating in 30 games.

Bishop allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Stars loss to the Blackhawks on Thursday. Bishop has been consistent from month-to-month and comes into Saturday’s game at 3-4-0 with a 2.48 GAA and .918 SV% in December. In his first start against the Wild, Bishop stopped 33 of 35 shots in a 3-1 loss (Oct.19).

Hanzal has played in six games after a long lay-off and will sit in the front-end of a back-to-back. Hanzal has been solid since getting back to 100 percent, scoring one goal on 14 shots and one assist in six games.

Spezza has missed the last two games with strep throat but he will be back in the lineup on Saturday. Spezza has five goals and 13 assists (18 points) in 33 games this season.

Bunting has one goal in three games with the Coyotes this season. He gets recalled after scoring six goals and 12 assists (18 points) in 20 games.

Bishop has just one goal and one assist in 15 games with the Hurricanes this season. The 22-year-old heads back to Charlotte, where he has five points (3G / 2) in 13 games.

Hyman suffered an ankle injury in New Jersey and missed Thursday’s game. Head coach Mike Babcock told reporters post-game that Hyman tried to play through it but it is serious enough to keep him sidelined until at least early-January.

Dumba was hurt against the Flames on December 15th and the injury will require surgery next week. This is a massive blow to the Wild blue line and fantasy teams alike. Dumba was having an excellent season, scoring 12 goals with 10 assists (22 points) in 32 games before getting injured. The Wild don’t have an exact timetable for his return but Dumba will be out long-term.

Smith was pulled after allowing four goals on 14 shots in the Flames loss to the Flyers on December 12th. It was an ugly end to a six-game winning streak for Smith, who will face the Blues for the second time this afternoon. Smith was yanked in the first meeting after he allowed five goals on 24 shots in a 5-3 loss in St. Louis (Oct.11).

Hart stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Flyers win over the Predators on Thursday. Hart was called-up to be the Flyers saviour and so far so good for the 20-year-old netminder. Hart has stopped 51 of the first 54 shots (.944 SV%) that he has faced. He will look to stay hot his afternoon vs. a Blue Jackets team that is 9-5-1 on the road.