NHL Hockey Player News

The Maple Leafs have recalled William Nylander from MODO; he is expected to join the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

The Maple Leafs must have liked what they saw from Nylander at the World Juniors in Toronto and are recalling him to get him playing on the smaller ice surface. The 18-year-old forward registered 20 points (8G / 12A) in 21 games with MODO.

Emery is the Flyers probable starter.

Emery allowed three goals on 13 shots after replacing Steve Mason in the Flyers loss to the Bruins on Saturday afternoon. With Mason out for a few weeks, Emery will be called upon to be the number-1. He is 7-7-1 with a 3.21 GAA and .889 SV% this season. Be careful with his matchup tonight.

Ray Emery
Pickard will start vs. the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Pickard allowed four goals on 32 shots in a loss to the Blackhawks on December 27th before being sent back to Lake Erie. He is back with the Avalanche 17 days later and will get the nod vs. Carolina tonight. Pickard has gone 6-6-2 with a 2.21 GAA and .934 SV% this season—he stopped all 17 shots he faced after replacing Semyon Varlamov in his first appearance vs. the Hurricanes.

Calvin Pickard
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
The Avalanche sent Reto Berra to Lake Erie (AHL) on a conditioning assignment.

Berra will switch spots with Calvin Pickard for the next two weeks. The conditioning stint means that Berra does not have to go through waivers, but is only allowed to stay with Lake Erie for a maximum of two weeks.

Reto Berra
Varlamov is expected to start Tuesday vs. the Capitals.

Varlamov allowed three goals on 40 shots in the Avs’ win over the Stars on Saturday. He has won three straight with a 1.67 GAA, .962 SV% and one shutout. Varly has been as hot as any goalie as of late, but draws a tough matchup tonight in Washington—they have won four of five and rank eighth in the NHL in scoring.

Semyon Varlamov
Howard will be out 2-4 weeks with a slight groin tear.

Howard had an MRI on Sunday that revealed a slight groin tear. He will have an ultrasound on Monday to see the extent of the damage. Howard will be out until at least late-January, possible into February and beyond. The Red Wings will now turn to Petr Mrazek as their starter.

Jimmy Howard
Pavelec will start in goal vs. the Ducks.

Pavelec gave up four goals on 30 shots in the Jets loss to the Coyotes on Thursday. He was given last night off, but starts tonight in Anaheim. It is a rough matchup and Pav has lost three in a row while allowing four goals in each contest.

Ondrej Pavelec
Andersen leads the Ducks onto the ice warmups.

Andersen surrendered three goals on 30 shots in the Ducks win over the Predators last Sunday. He had a full week off with Ilya Bryzgalov getting the nod on Wednesday. He comes in having won two in a row and three of his last four. Andersen is 12-4-2 with a 2.15 GAA and .925 SV% at home.

Frederik Andersen
Scrivens will be in goal for the Oilers.

Scrivens stopped 19 of 21 shots in the Oilers shocking 5-2 win over the Blackhawks on Friday. He has won two in a row and three of his last five with a 1.99 GAA and .929 SV%. This is the best he has played all season, so you might be able to trust him tonight with the 19-11-9 Panthers in town.

Ben Scrivens
Backstrom starts for the Wild.

Backstrom allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Wild’s 3-1 loss to the Predators last night. He will start his third straight game and for the second time in as many nights. He draws a rough matchup in Chicago0—he allowed three goals on 19 shots in a loss to the Hawks on Thursday.

Niklas Backstrom