NHL Hockey Player News

Varlamov allowed two goals on 18 shots after replacing Jonathan Bernier in Colorado’s 7-2 loss to Dallas on Sunday. Varlamov has been impressive on home-ice this season, going 5-1-1 with a 2.81 GAA and .917 SV% at the Pepsi Center. He makes for a good option tonight against Sabres team in disarray.

Kossila has one goal and one assist in 10 games with the Ducks and seven points (2G / 5A) in eight AHL contests. Kossila’s return to the AHL suggests that Rickard Rakell (upper-body) will be back on Tuesday.

Rakell has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but was back on the ice for Monday’s practice, a sign that he may be back in the lineup Tuesday in Vegas. The Ducks returning Kalle Kossila to San Diego (AHL) is a sign that he’ll play tomorrow.

Toninato, 23, recorded one assist in eight games with the Avalanche during his call-up. Toninato returns to the AHL with Colin Wilson back to 100 percent—he has three goals and three assists (six points) in 13 games with the Rampage.

Price allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Canadiens’ win over the Red Wings on Saturday. Price has won five consecutive games while posting a 1.20 GAA, .962 SV% and one shutout, so it’s safe to say that Carey Price is back. Price comes into Tuesday’s game at 6-2-1 with a 2.12 GAA and .925 SV% on home ice.

Smith was yanked after he allowed five goals on 27 shots in the Flames’ 7-5 loss to the Oilers on Saturday. Smith has lost four of his last five starts (1-3-1) while posting a 3.01 GAA, .915 SV% and one shutout. In his first start against the Flyers, Smith allowed four goals on 39 shots in a 5-4 OT win in mid-November. He is a must-start against a Philadelphia team that has lost 10 straight games (0-5-5).

Martin has been out since the second game of the season with an ankle injury, but it looks like he may return Thursday vs. the Hurricanes. If Martin plays, he will likely take Joakim Ryan’s spot on the blueline and skate alongside Brent Burns.

Stephenson was not on the ice for the Capitals morning skate and is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. With Stephenson out, Travis Boyd has been recalled and will make his NHL debut vs. the Sharks.

Howard gave up five goals on nine shots after replacing Petr Mrazek in the Red Wings’ 10-1 ass whooping in Montreal on Saturday. Howard had an excellent start to the 2017-18 season but has struggled mightily in his last seven appearances, posting a 4.87 GAA and .842 SV%. He will be in tough again tonight with the red-hot Winnipeg Jets in town.

After a brief one-game absence, Jones return to the Sharks crease on the second-half of the Sharks back-to-back on Saturday. Jones allowed five goals on 43 shots in the Sharks’ 5-2 loss to the Lightning. He’ll be back between the pipes tonight in Washington and the 27-year-old comes in at 4-2-0 with a 2.07 GAA and .937 SV% on the road this season.

Seidenberg was in the lineup last Friday vs. the Senators, but will come back out of the lineup tonight and sit as a healthy scratch for the sixth time in the last nine games. Thomas Hickey will take his spot on the blueline.

Hickey was a heathy scratch against Ottawa last Friday, but will draw back into the lineup tonight in Florida. Hickey, who has three assists in 18 games this season, will replace Dennis Seidenberg on the blueline.

Versteeg has missed the last four games and will miss multiple months after he undergoes surgery on his hip later today. With Versteeg out longterm, mark Jankowski appears to have landed a full-time gig with the Flames.

Irwin has been a mainstay on the Predators blueline this season, appearing in 24 of 26 games but he will come out of the lineup tonight with Yannick Weber (lower-body) set to return from injury.

Weber, who has just two assists in 12 games this season, will play in his first game since November 11th. The 29-year-old defenseman will replace Matt Irwin in the lineup and skate on the third pairing with Anthony Bitetto.

Johansen was forced to leave Saturday’s game early and was not on the ice for Monday’s morning skate, so don’t expect him to suit up against the Bruins. With Johansen out, Pontus Aberg is expected to draw into the lineup and his linemates Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson are expected to skate on separate lines.

Brickley was a healthy scratch for the last four games, but will replace Dryden Hunt in the Panthers lineup vs. the Islanders. Brickley has collected eight points (2G / 6A) in 18 contests this season.