NHL Hockey Player News

Phaneuf left the team to deal with a personal matter and will not be in the lineup on Thursday. Ben Harpur will replace Phanuef on the Senators blueline.

The Senators said that Smith is a little banged up and is a game-time decision for Thursday’s game. The Senators recalled Filip Chlapik from Belleville (AHL) and he is expected to replace Smith if he is unable to play.

Lundqvist allowed one goal on 40 shots in the Rangers win over the Ducks on Tuesday. Lundqvist has been excellent in his last three starts, going 3-0-0 while allowing just five goals on 110 shots (.955 SV%). In his first start against the Devils, Lundqvist allowed two goals on 28 shots in a 5-2 win earlier this month.

Hellebuyck yielded four goals on 34 shots in the Jets win in Nashville on Tuesday. Hellebuyck’s numbers haven’t been as good in December, but he is still 5-2-1 in eight starts despite a 2.87 GAA and .898 SV%. He has a tough matchup tonight against a Bruins team that has won seven of their last 10 games (7-2-1).

Rask allowed two goals on 18 shots in the Bruins win over the Blue Jackets on Monday. Despite the easy evening, Anton Khudobin started the following night so they’ll come back to Rask tonight vs. the Jets. The veteran netminder has been excellent in December, going 5-0-1 with a 1.52 GAA, .941 SV% and one shutout.

Dotchin missed Tuesday’s game in Vegas with an illness but was back on the ice this morning for the gameday skate and is expected to play vs. Ottawa. Dotchin has two assists, a plus-4 rating and seven shots in his last four games.

Johnson missed Tuesday’s game in Vegas with an illness but was back on the ice this morning for the gameday skate and is expected to play vs. Ottawa. Johnson has been great as of late, picking up four goals and eight assists (12 points) in his last seven games.

Montour served as a healthy scratch in New York on Tuesday but will replace Andy Welinski tonight in Brooklyn. After a night off the Ducks hope Montour can get back to being a productive defenseman. He has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 33 games this season.

Miller allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Ducks loss in New Jersey on Monday. John Gibson started five of the last six games but it looks like Gibson will start tonight against the Islanders. Miller comes into Thursday at 1-1-3 with a 2.39 GAA and .929 SV% on the road this season.

Vasilevskiy allowed four goals on 36 shots in the Lightning’s loss in Vegas on Tuesday. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Vasilevskiy, who will make his 28th start tonight vs. the Senators. The 23-year-old is an impressive 12-1-1 with a 2.40 GAA and .921 SV% at Amalie Arena this season.

Krejci will miss third straight game with an upper-body injury and may not be back before the Christmas break. After tonight the Bruins last game before the break is Saturday vs. the Red Wings. Monitor Krejci’s status over the next couple of days.

The Bruins will host the Jets tonight but they could be without some key forwards including Nash, who is officially listed as questionable for tonight’s contest. Monitor his status when the Bruins hit the ice for pre-game warmups at 6:30 pm ET.

The Bruins will host the Jets tonight but they could be without some key forwards including Spooner, who is officially listed as questionable for tonight’s contest. Monitor his status when the Bruins hit the ice for pre-game warmups at 6:30 pm ET.

The Bruins will host the Jets tonight but they could be without some key forwards including Marchand, who is officially listed as questionable for tonight’s contest. Monitor his status when the Bruins hit the ice for pre-game warmups at 6:30 pm ET.

Murray allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Penguins loss in Colorado on Monday. Since returning to the Penguins crease, Murray has gone 1-2-0 with a 2.38 GAA and .911 SV%. Tonight he will make his 11th start at PPG Paints Arena—he has gone 6-2-1 with a 2.40 GAA and .928 SV% on home ice his season.

Bratt was hurt while blocking a shot on Monday and will not play tonight. Bratt was given a “maintenance day” on Wednesday but it looks like it was a little more than maintenance. Luckily for the Devils, Marcus Johansson (ankle) will return tonight to replace Bratt in the lineup.

Johansson has been battling injuries all season-long, only appearing in 15 of the Devils’ first 33 games. Most recently he has missed the last four games with an ankle injury but will draw back in tonight. Johansson has four goals and three assists (seven points).

Seidenberg was in the Islanders lineup on Tuesday but will be replaced by Thomas Hickey tonight vs. the Ducks.

Despite being activated from IR prior to Tuesday's game vs. the Red Wings, Hickey sat as a healthy scratch but will draw in for Dennis Seidenberg tonight. Hickey has one goal and four assists (five points) in 21 games this season.

Beauvillier was in the lineup for the last two games but will be a healthy scratch for the second time in four games tonight. Beauvillier, who has not recorded a point in his last eight games, will be replaced by Shane Prince.