NHL Hockey Player News

Hutchinson will be in goal vs. the Blues.

Hutchinson allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Jets win over Dallas on Tuesday. Hutchinson will start for the fifth time in six games, having gone 3-0-1 despite positing an ugly 3.01 GAA and .875 SV%. Tonight he will start against a Blues team who have surprisingly lost three of his last four.

Michael Hutchinson
Rinne will start Thursday vs. the Wild.

Rinne allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Predators win over the Avalanche on Tuesday. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Rinne. He ranks first in the NHL in wins (35), second in GAA (2.01) and SV% (.930). He has been excellent all season and will make his third start against the Wild—he is 2-0-0 with a 2.96 GAA and .906 SV% in the first two.

Pekka Rinne
Lack gets the nod vs. Buffalo.

Lack made 40 saves on 41 shots in the Canucks 2-1 win over the Bruins on Tuesday. It was a nice start to life as the team’s number-1 with Ryan Miller out. He is a must-start tonight in Buffalo—so far Lack has gone 4-1-0 with a 1.95 GAA and .940 SV% in February.

Eddie Lack
Ellis (lower-body) has been upgraded to day-to-day; questionable for Thursday.

Ellis practiced yesterday and skated with Seth Jones in today’s morning skate, so it looks like he could be back in the lineup tonight. There is no official word on his status, but expect coach Laviolette to update Ellis’ status shortly.

Ryan Ellis
Carle (abdomen) is expected to return next week.

Carle has been out since January 15th after suffering a torn abductor muscle. Carle is five and a half weeks into a 6-8 week timeline. He has been practicing lately and his return to the Lightning’s blue line would be a huge boost. He won’t play tomorrow, but should be able to return next week.

Matt Carle
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
The Coyotes have reassigned Mike McKenna to Portland (AHL).

McKenna has gone 18-14-2 with a 2.09 GAA and. 933 SV% in Portland, but struggled in his only start with the Coyotes this season. He will continue switch with Louis Domingue, while the Yotes lean heavenly on Mike Smith.

Mike McKenna
Sill will make his Maple Leafs debut on Thursday.

Sill who was acquired from the Penguins in the Daniel Winnik trade yesterday will make his Leafs debut tonight vs. the Flyers. Sill is expected to skate on a line with Peter Holland and David Booth.

Zach Sill
Lack is expected to start Thursday vs. the Sabres.

Lack made 40 saves on 41 shots in the Canucks 2-1 win over the Bruins on Tuesday. It was a nice start to life as the team’s number-1 with Ryan Miller out. He is a must-start tonight in Buffalo—so far Lack has gone 4-1-0 with a 1.95 GAA and .940 SV% in February.

Eddie Lack
Luongo gets the call vs. the Blackhawks.

Luongo allowed two goals on 38 shots in the Panthers 3-2 shootout loss to the Blackhawks on Tuesday. He will take on the Hawks again tonight in Florida. Luongo has gone 11-6-6 with a 2.27 GAA and .920 SV% at the BB&T Center, but draws a very difficult matchup.

Roberto Luongo
Neuvirth will start vs. the Canucks.

Neuvirth was excellent on Tuesday, stopping 45 of 47 shots in the Sabres 4-2 win over the Blue Jackets. In February, he has posted a fantastic 1.94 GAA and .947 SV%, but that has only led to a 2-3-2 record. Tonight he will face a Canucks team, who come in having won six of their last eight.

Michal Neuvirth
Talbot will be between the pipes on Thursday.

Talbot stopped all 21 shots that he faced in the Rangers 1-0 shutout win over the Flames on Tuesday. It was Talbot’s 11th win and fourth shutout of the season. He comes in having won five of his last six games with a 2.59 GAA and .914 SV%. Talbot makes for an excellent start against the Coyotes.

Cam Talbot
Bernier gets the nod Thursday vs. the Flyers.

Bernier gave up three goals on 34 shots in the Maple Leafs 4-3 OT win over the Jets on Saturday. With four days off between games, the Leafs will go back to Bernier tonight vs. Philadelphia. The first time he faced the Flyers, it was a debacle. Bernier allowed seven goals on 41 shots in a 7-4 loss.

Jonathan Bernier
The Sabres have recalled Phil Varone from Rochester (AHL).

Varone, 24, has been recalled because the Sabres are without Zemgus Girgensons and Tyler Ennis. He has registered two goals in seven games with the Sabres this season. While in Rochester, he has 43 points (14G / 29A) in 52 games.

Phil Varone