NHL Hockey Player News

Lundqvist allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Rangers win over the Kings last night. Despite having another game less than 24 hours later, the Rangers will go back to King Henrik because it is a “Big Game” according to head coach Alain Vigneault. Lundqvist allowed two goals on 33 shots in a 4-2 win in his first start against Boston this season.

Budaj allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Avalanche on December 7th. With Andrei Vasilevskiy starting seven of the last eight games, Budaj will give him a breather tonight as he goes up against Colorado again. Playing behind one of the most dominant teams in the NHL makes Budaj an intriguing spot-start option tonight.

Budaj allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Avalanche on December 7th. With Andrei Vasilevskiy starting seven of the last eight games, Budaj will give him a breather tonight as he goes up against Colorado again. Playing behind one of the most dominant teams in the NHL makes Budaj an intriguing spot-start option tonight.

Smith allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Flames loss to the Sharks on Thursday. Smith has lost five of his las six starts while posting a 2.93 GAA and .888 SV%. Things will not get any easier for the veteran as the Nashville Predators travel to town sitting second in the NHL at 20-7-4.

Brodziak, who has collected five goals and five assists in 33 games this season will come out of the lineup vs. the Jets on Saturday. Oskar Sundqvist will draw in on the fourth line to replace him.

Raanta stopped 44 of 48 shots in the Coyotes 4-1 loss to the Lightning on Thursday. Despite the loss, Raanta stood tall against one of the best teams in the NHL. Since returning to the Coyotes crease, Raanta has stopped an impressive 77 of 82 shots (.939 SV%) in just two games. He’ll likely face a ton of rubber again tonight with the Penguins in town.

Price stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Canadiens win over the Devils on Thursday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Price, who has won six of nine starts with a 2.14 GAA, .933 SV% and one shutout since returning from injury. He will start tongiht's outdoor game where temperatures are expected to dip under minus-20 Celsius.

Stalock stopped all 28 shots that he faced in the Wild’s shutout win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday. Since allowing seven goals in Winnipeg in late-November, Stalock has stopped 75 of 79 shots (.949 SV%). Stalock is an impressive 3-1-0 with a 1.32 GAA and .947 SV% in four games at Xcel Energy Center.

Mason will make his first start since November 25th, a game in which he suffered a _ injury after stopping 11 of 13 shots in the first period. He started the season off slow, but stopped 118 of 124 shots (.952 SV%) in his five appearances before getting hurt. He draws a rough matchup in St. Louis and has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.55 GAA and .929 SV% on the road this season.

Gunnarsson left Friday’s practice while blocking a shot but will play tonight vs. the Jets. Gunnarsson has just three goals and two assists (five points) in 28 games this season.

Orpik is dealing with an upper-body injury but he took part in the Capitals morning skate so it looks like he will be in the lineup. Even if he plays he doesn’t carry a lot of fantasy value given that he has just five assists in 33 games this season.

Hutton missed some time with a lower-body injury and tonight he will make his first start since December 1st. Head coach Mike Yeo said that Hutton and Jake Allen would split this weekend’s back-to-back set so Hutton will start at home and Allen will start in Winnipeg. Hutton is 1-2-0 with a 2.10 GAA and .920 SV% in limited action at Scottrade Center this season.

Holtby allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Capitals win in Boston on Thursday. Holtby has won five of his last six starts while posting a 2.81 GAA and .915 SV%. Tonight he faces a banged up Ducks team on home-ice where has gone 11-4-0 with a 2.06 GAA and .935 SV% this season.