NHL Hockey Player News

Varlamov surrendered four goals on 32 shots in Colorado’s loss to Ottawa in Sweden last Friday. With the loss, Varlamov moves to 6-3-1 with a 3.18 GAA and .908 SV% on the season and tonight he gets a chance to face his former team on home ice, where he is 3-0-1 with a 3.24 GAA and .914 SV% this season.

Elliott gave up one goal on 18 shots in the Flyers’ loss in Minnesota on Tuesday. Elliott has stopped 81 of the last 84 shots (.964 SV%) he has faced in his last three starts, but has been on the wrong end of two Devan Dubnyk shutouts in his last two starts. He draws a tough matchup against a Jets team that has won six of their last eight (6-1-1).

Raanta was pulled after he allowed three goals on 13 shots in the Coyotes’ loss in Winnipeg on Tuesday. It was one of Raanta’s worst outings of the season and he now comes into Thursday on a four game losing streak, allowing a combined 11 goals on 108 shots (.899 SV%). He will take on a Habs team that has won four of their last six (4-1-1).

Schneider allowed on goal on 33 shots in the Devils’ win over the Panthers on Saturday. With Keith Kinkaid starting on Sunday, the Devils will come back to Schneider tonight in Toronto. In his first start against the Maple Leafs, the 31-year-old stopped 47 of 50 shots in a 6-3 win.

Ryan has missed the last eight games with a fractured index finger, but will draw back into the lineup tonight vs. the Penguins. Ryan will play on a line with Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel and comes into play with six assists in eight games this season.

Perreault has missed the last 12 games with a lower-body injury, but will play tonight vs. the Flyers. Perreault may not have the fantasy appeal he did before the injury thanks to the emergence of Kyle Connor. Perreault will start on the fourth line with Matt Hendricks and Joel Armia, but is expected to see PP2 time.

Bishop allowed five goals on 28 shots in the Stars’ loss in Carolina on Monday. Kari Lehtonen gave him the night off on Tuesday, so they’ll come back to Bishop against his former team tonight. Bishop has lost three of his last four starts while posting a 3.05 GAA and .871 SV%, making him a risky start against the NHL’s highest scoring squad.

Hellebuyck allowed one goal on 34 shots in the Jets’ win over the Coyotes on Tuesday. Hellebuyck has been so good this season that he will start tonight instead of letting Steve Mason facing his former team. Hellebuyck comes in at 5-0-1 with a 2.35 GAA and .927 SV% on home-ice this season.

Zajac will make his season debut after missing the first 17 games with a pectoral issue. Despite skating with Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri in his first practice, Zajac will centre Jesper Bratt and Drew Stafford tonight in Toronto. The 32-year-old is coming off of a 14-goal and 31-assist in 80 game season.

Murray allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Penguins overtime win over the Sabres on Tuesday. Murray has gone 3-2-0 with a 2.84 GAA and .903 SV% in five November starts, but still isn’t putting up the numbers many expected at the start of the year. Murray enters Ottawa at 4-4-0 with a 3.72 GAA and .876 SV% on the road this season.

Soshnikov recorded five goals and seven assists (12 points) in 14 games with the Marlies (AHL) before getting called up earlier this week. Soshnikov will replace Josh Leivo in the lineup tonight and comes into Thursday with 14 points (7G / 7A) in 67 career NHL games.

Vasilevskiy allowed one goal on 29 shots in the Lightning’s win in Anaheim on Sunday. The win extended Vasilevskiy’s personal winning streak to three and he now leads the NHL in wins (13) while ranking tied for fifth in SV% (.930) and tied for 10th in GAA (2.32). He is a must-start regardless of matchup and tonight he faces a Dallas team that has lost four of their last six.

Matthews practiced on Wednesday and took part in the optional morning skate today, but he will not play tonight vs. New Jersey. Despite missing his fourth consecutive game, Matthews appears to be on track to play Saturday in Montreal.

Andersen allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Bruins last Friday. After nearly a full week off, Andersen is expected to start tonight vs. the Devils. Andersen comes in on a three-game winning streak, but struggled in his first start vs. New Jersey—he allowed six goals on 31 shots in a 6-3 loss in mid-October.