NHL Hockey Player News

Luongo was scheduled to start tonight, but missed Thursday’s game with some “bumps and bruises” so it remains to be seen if he will still end up starting tonight. He stopped 33 of 36 shots in a win over Buffalo on Tuesday and draws a great matchup against the Red Wings, who he is 2-0-0 with a 0.99 GAA and .953 SV% against this season.

Johnson allowed four goals on 34 shots in the Flames’ loss in San Jose. Despite losing three in a row while allowing four goals in each contest and Brian Elliott winning his last start,, it looks like Johnson will start vs. the Canucks on Friday. He allowed one goal on 31 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss in his first start vs. Vancouver.

Lehtonen allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Stars’ loss in Chicago on December 11th. Antti Niemi started the last four games, but Lehtonen will get the nod tonight vs. the Kings. Lehtonen has gone 2-3-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .921 SV% in December and tonight will be the second time he faces Los Angeles. In the first meeting, he allowed four goals on 39 shots in a 4-3 OT loss.

Howard left Tuesday's game with a lower-body injury and was unable to put any weight on his right leg. An MCL sprain will cost him at least one month, but that is better than what it could have been. With Howard out, the Red Wings will turn back to Petr Mrazek and Jared Coreau until at least late-February.

Holtby allowed two goals on 38 shots in the Capitals’ shootout loss in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Holtby has lost his last two starts despite stopping 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%). Through his first eight December starts, Holtby has gone 4-2-2 with a 1.85 GAA and .937 SV% and tonight he faces the Lightning for the second time. He stopped 32 of 33 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss on December 3rd.

Greiss allowed two goals on 50 shots in the Islanders win in Boston on Tuesday. It was a masterful outing by Greiss, who now owns a 2.61 GAA and .918 SV% in 13 appearances this season. the Islanders have been rolling with whoever the hot hand is, so Greiss will go tonight vs. the Sabres. Greiss is 5-3-0 with a 2.91 GAA and .905 SV% on home-ice.

Bibeau allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Maple Leafs’ loss to the Avalanche in his only NHL start of the season. During his time with the Marlies, the 22-year-old netminder has gone 7-6-1 with a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% and could make for a decent spot-start option vs. the Coyotes. Arizona comes in as losers of their last three games.

Rask was yanked after he allowed three goals on 13 shots in the Bruins’ loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. It was a rough outing for Rask, who is now 4-2-2 with a 2.51 GAA and .907 SV% in eight December starts. Tonight will be his third start vs. the Panthers—in the first two, he has gone 2-0-0 with a 1.98 GAA and .938 SV%.

Armia has missed the last 24 games with an undisclosed injury that he suffered early in November. The young forward had four points (1G / 3A) in 10 games before suffering the injury and will take Brandon Tanev’s spot in the lineup tonight.

Matthias has missed the last 25 games with a lower-body injury that he suffered at the start of November. In his first 10 games in a Jets’ uniform Matthias collected two goals with one assist on 12 shots. He will replace Andrew Copp in tonight’s lineup.

Hutchinson gave up four goals on 29 shots in the Jets’ loss in Calgary on December 10th. Connor Hellebuyck started the last four games, including Tuesday’s loss in Vancouver. With the Jets in Vancouver again tonight, Hutchinson will get a shot at the Canucks. The 26-year-old has gone 2-4-2 with a 3.11 GAA and .898 SV% on the road this season.

Bobrovsky allowed three goal on 17 shots in the Blue Jackets’ win in Vancouver on Sunday. Bobrovsky has won eight consecutive starts while posting a 1.50 GAA and .941 SV%. The 28-year-old has been outstanding in 2016-17, but draws a tough matchup against a Penguins team that has gone 8-0-2 while averaging 4.70 goals for per game in their last 10.

Mason allowed two goals on 38 shots in the Flyers’ win over the Capitals last night. Despite the heavy workload, Mason will go again tonight in New Jersey. He has been simply outstanding in the month of December, rattling off eight wins in 10 starts while posting a 2.15 GAA and .928 SV%. He is a must-start against a struggling Devils squad.

Budaj surrendered two goals on 27 shots in the Kings’ shootout loss in Columbus on Tuesday. Budaj has gone 2-1-2 with a 2.20 GAA and .920 SV% in seven December starts and tonight he’ll take on the Predators for the second time. The Predators have won their last two, but Budaj stopped 24 of 26 shots in a 3-2 OT win in their first meeting.

Rinne stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Predators’ shootout win in Philadelphia on Tuesday. It was a great outing in what has been an otherwise bad month for Rinne and the Predators. The Finnish netminder has gone 3-3-1 with a 3.50 GAA and .870 SV% in December and tonight he will face the Kings for the second time—he allowed three goals on 45 shots a 3-2 OT loss in the first meeting.

Hutchinson gave up four goals on 29 shots in the Jets’ loss in Calgary on December 10th. Connor Hellebuyck started the last four games, including Tuesday’s loss in Vancouver. With the Jets in Vancouver again tonight, Hutchinson will get a shot at the Canucks. The 26-year-old has gone 2-4-2 with a 3.11 GAA and .898 SV% on the road this season.

Emelin's wife is expecting, so Emelin will likely be replaced by Joel Hanley, who was recalled from St. John’s (AHL).