NHL Hockey Player News

Boyes missed Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury, but could play tonight vs. the Penguins. Monitor his status during pre-game warmups.

Trocheck served as a healthy scratch for the last two games but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Penguins. There is no official word as to who will come out. Trocheck has registered 11 points (2G / 9A) in 19 games this season.

Mrazek stopped 22 of 23 shots after replacing the injured Jimmy Howard in the Red Wings 2-1 loss to the Islanders on Friday. With Howie sidelined, Mrazek becomes the starter for time-being and it starts tonight vs. the visiting Avalanche. The 22-year-old is 3-2-0 with a 2.55 GAA and .922 SV% and makes for a solid spot-start option for people in need of Sunday goalie numbers.

Holtby allowed four goals on 26 shots but walked away with a 5-4 OT victory on Thursday in Columbus. The win made him 5-1-2 with a 2.34 GAA and .920 SV% in December. He should continue his winning ways tonight in New Jersey—he has gone 2-1-0 with a 1.35 GAA and .956 SV% vs. the Devils this year.

Kuemper (illness) missed his scheduled start on Tuesday and sat out Wednesday, but it looks like he will be back between the pipes tonight in Nashville. Kuemper allowed two goals on 30 shots in a loss to the Sharks in his last start. Despite his recent struggles, Kuemper is 7-3-0 at home this season—however his .885 SV% at Xcel Energy Center is alarming.

Vasilevskiy stopped 23 of 24 shots in the Lightning’s 3-1 win over the Flyers on Tuesday. It was an excellent debut for the 2012 first-round pick, who will make his second career start tonight on Long Island. Ben Bishop is not expected to be out long-term, so Vasilevskiy’s run with the Lightning will be short-lived, but he could make for an OK spot-start tonight.

Halak turned aside 17 of 18 shots in the Isles’ 2-1 win over the Red Wings last night. It was an easy night for Halak, who will start both games of a back-to-back set for the first time this season. He is riding a three game winning streak and has posted a 1.62 GAA and .930 SV% over that span.

Gorges has missed the last two games with a finger injury that he suffered last Saturday vs. the Panthers. He will be paired with Tyler Myers tonight vs. the Avalanche.

With Neal out, Viktor Stalberg, who was placed on waivers earlier this week, will draw into the lineup. Consider Neal day-to-day.

Adams recently broke the franchise record for consecutive games played. After playing 319 straight games, Adams will miss his first game since October of 2010. Andrew Ebbett will be back in the lineup for Adams.

There is no word on what is ailing Martin, but he will not play tonight vs. the Penguins. He could be back by Monday, but he joins Christian Ehrhoff, Robert Bortuzzo and Olli Maatta as injured Penguins blue liners.

Ehrhoff suffered the lower-body injury on Thursday vs. Colorado. He will miss the Pens remaining three games before the Christmas break, but could be back by December 27th vs. the Capitals. With Ehrhoff out, Derrick Pouliot will make his NHL debut.

Ward allowed one goal on 26 shots in the Hurricanes win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Ward. Tonight he gets the call at home vs. the Rangers. Ward has been great at PNC Arena this season—going 6-4-1 with a 1.99 GAA and .926 SV%.

Semin was on the ice for the morning skate and even took line rushes on the fourth line, but he will be held out for a sixth straight game. Coach Peters says that Semin is “very close” but will not play tonight. Expect Justin Shugg to stay in the lineup.

Morrow, 22, has one goal in 15 games with Boston this season, but had served as a healthy scratch for the last five games. He heads back to Providence where he had one goal and one assist in five games.

Sislo, 26, has 11 points (7G / 4A) in 21 games with Albany this season. Despite being recalled earlier this season, he has yet to play for the Devils this year. He has no points in 14 career NHL games.

Larsson has missed the last nine games with mumps, but went to the minor for Friday’s game to help him get back up to speed. Despite being recalled, there is no word whether he will play tonight.

Cammalleri will miss his fourth consecutive game with a lower-body injury. There is no word on when he is expected to be back in the lineup, but his movement to IR allowed the Devils to recall Mike Sislo from Albany (AHL).

Fleury stopped all 29 shots that he faced in the Penguins 1-0 OT win over the Avalanche on Thursday. Fleury has won three straight and four of his last five with a 1.77 GAA and .938 SV%. Tonight he will go up against the 14-8-8 Panthers at home, where he is 12-3-1 on the year.

Pouliot, who was recalled this morning, will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Panthers. He will be paired with Rob Scuderi and will likely see power-play time. Pouliot has seven goals and 13 assists (20 points) in 23 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season.