NHL Hockey Player News

Niemi gave up five goals on 39 shots in the Stars’ loss in Pittsburgh on December 1st. Kari Lehtonen has started the last five games, but it looks like Niemi will go tonight vs. the Ducks. Niemi allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Stars’ 4-2 win over Anaheim back in mid-October.

Budaj allowed one goal on 20 shots in the Kings win over the Senators on Saturday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Budaj, who will make his 23rd start tonight in Buffalo. Budaj has gone 3-5-1 with a 2.20 GAA and .914 SV% in his previous nine starts on the road. The Sabres have lost three of their last four.

Luongo allowed two goals on 39 shots in the Panthers’ win over the Canucks on Saturday. It was a great outing for Luongo, who snapped a three-game losing streak in the process. Luongo will start in Minnesota and he comes in with a 3-4-2 record, 2.42 GAA and .921 SV% in nine starts on the road this season.

Davidson has been sidelined since the season opener when he suffered a shoulder injury on a collision with Matthew Tkachuk. Davidson will replace Dillon Simpson in the lineup.

Talbot allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Oilers’ win over the Jets on Sunday. Talbot has won three of his last five starts despite allowing a combined 13 goals on 151 shots (.914 SV%). He’ll be in tough tonight against the Blue Jackets. Columbus comes in riding a six-game winning streak and have averaged 4.00 goals per game over that stretch.

Holtby stopped all 20 shots that he faced in the Capitals’ shutout win over the Canucks on Sunday. Holtby has won three consecutive starts while allowing a combined five goals on 87 shots (.943 SV%). This will be his third start of the season vs. the Islanders—he has gone 1-1-0 with a 2.06 GAA and .920 SV% in the first two meetings.

Gibson stopped 21 of 22 shots in the Ducks’ win over the Senators on Sunday. Gibson has won two in a row and four of his last five starts while posting a strong 2.15 GAA and .929 SV%. Gibson has been a solid No.2 fantasy option this season, but struggled in his first start vs. Dallas, allowing four goals on 20 shots.

Darling allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Blackhawks’ win over the Stars on Sunday. Darling has played very well since Corey Crawford got hurt, going 2-2-1 with a 1.41 GAA and .952 SV% in five games. One of those games came against the Rangers, who he will face again tonight—he stopped 36 of 37 shots in a 1-0 OT loss last Friday.

Marchessault has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, but he will he be a game-time decision tonight in Minnesota. Marchessault is expected to skate on the third line if he ends up playing.

Smith allowed four goals on 22 shots before being yanked in the Coyotes’ loss in Pittsburgh last night. The Penguins are torching everyone right now, so Smith was likely pulled in order to keep him fresh for tonight’s game in Detroit. Smith has gone 1-2-2 with a 3.03 GAA and .914 SV% on the road this season.

Sissons has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Blues. Sissons has two goals and one assist while averaging 10:18 TOI/GM in 19 contests so far this season.

Ellis has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury, but was on the ice for Monday’s practice and Tuesday’s morning skate, so he should be back in the lineup tonight vs. St. Louis. Ellis will skate with Roman Josi and comes in with nine points (3G / 6A) in 19 games this season.