NHL Hockey Player News

The Penguins are in a heap of trouble, being outscored 27-13 during a six-game losing skid (0-5-1), and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes. Unsurprisingly, given the Penguins' struggles, Nedeljkovic is still searching for his first victory, sporting a troubling 3.94 GAA and .874 SV% in three games (0-2-1). Despite his struggles, Nedeljkovic has kept his team afloat at times, especially early in games, saving 34 of 35 first-period shots on goal (.971 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as rare -176 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has only scored 21 goals this season, the fewest in the league.

The Canadiens had a disastrous 8-2 loss against the Seattle Kraken in their last outing and will rotate to Primeau in the crease on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. Primeau entered Tuesday's loss to Seattle in relief of Samuel Montembeault, allowing three goals on 13 shots (.769 SV%). That said, Primeau has been solid in his previous three outings (1-0-1), posting a .907 SV%. The Canadiens enter the action on Tuesday as +180 road underdogs against the Washington Capitals.

Xhekaj has played the last three games but will return to being a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. Through eight games this season, Xhekaj has seven blocks and 16 hits but an ugly -6 plus/minus.

Barron has not played since October 22nd, missing three games due to an upper-body injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday. In 7 games played this season, Barrron has a goal and six PIMs.

Guhle has not played since October 17th, missing five games due to an upper-body injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday. The 22-year-old defender was off to an excellent start to the season before his injury, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in five games.

Alexeyev was the 31st overall pick of the Capitals in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and will make his season debut on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens, replacing Jakob Chychrun (upper body). The 24-year-old Alexeyev had three points (1G / 2A) in 39 games with the Capitals last season.

With Connor McDavid's expected to miss the next 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury, the freshly recalled Philp will make his NHL debut on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 26-year-old Philp has spent the last three seasons in Bakersfield (AHL) awaiting his NHL debut. Philp has three points (2G / 1A) in six games with Bakersfield this season.

The Capitals are off to an excellent 6-2-0 start to the season and will continue their goalie rotation, turning to Lindgren between the pipes for his fifth start. Lindgren has been serviceable in the crease for the Capitals this season, albeit unspectacular, posting a 2.52 GAA and .895 SV% in four contests (2-2-0). The Capitals enter the action on Thursday as sizeable -197 home favorites against a Montreal Canadiens club with a -12 goal differential this season (4-5-1).

After losing six straight (0-5-1), the Flyers have won their last two contests with Ersson between the pipes, including a stellar 23-save shutout on Tuesday in a 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins. The 25-year-old Ersson has had an inconsistent start to the 2024-25 season, a byproduct of porous team play, posting a 3.00 GAA and .891 SV% in seven appearances (3-2-1). The Flyers enter the action on Thursday as -136 home favorites against a St. Louis Blues club pummeled 8-1 by the Ottawa Senators in their previous game.

The Avalanche, amid a myriad of injuries, finally received some good news on the injury front. Lehkonen is expected to return from a shoulder injury and make his season debut on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 29-year-old Lehkonen has been productive since joining Colorado three seasons ago, including a 34-point campaign (16G / 18A) in 45 games last season.

With Frederik Andersen still sidelined due to a minor injury, the Hurricanes will roll with Kochetkov for a second consecutive game. The 25-year-old Kochetkov has won three of four starts (3-1-0), allowing three or fewer goals three times, posting a 2.77 GAA and .894 SV%. The Hurricanes, riding a four-game winning streak, enter the action on Thursday as -169 home favorites against a Boston Bruins club with a 4-5-1 record.

Ponomarev was the 53rd overall pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL Draft. The 22-year-old had a two-game stint with the Hurricanes in the 2022-23 season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has predominantly been an AHL player so far in his career.

After being outscored 23-16 during a four-game losing streak, Markstrom saved 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday and will return to the crease to play consecutive games for the first time in nearly two weeks. The 34-year-old Markstrom has a 3.01 GAA and .895 SV% in eight games this season (4-3-1). The Devils enter the action on Wednesday as +108 road underdogs against the Vancouver Canucks.

Brisson will get the chance to play in his hometown on Wednesday as Vegas travels to Los Angeles to take on the Kings. Brisson is yet to register a point in six games this season. Cole Schwindt will sit in his place.

Schwindt will be the odd-man out on Wednesday as Brendan Brisson draws into the lineup. Schwindt has no goals and three assists in eight games this season.

Jones will be the odd-man out on the Kings' blue line on Wednesday as they opt to get some fresh bodies into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Andreas Englund will draw into the lineup in Jones' place.

Lee will make way for Kevin Fiala, who re-enters the lineup after being scratched for Tuesday's game for missing a team meeting. Lee has no goals and one assist in ten games this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, after a disappointing 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks last night, the Kings will switch to Kuemper between the pipes. Kuemper returned to the lineup from a lower-body injury on Saturday and helped lead the Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). Aside from a disastrous outing where he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Kuemper has been solid, allowing two or fewer goals in three of four outings (2-1-1). That said, the Kings enter the action on Wednesday as +113 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights club that leads the league offensively with 47 goals.

Samsonov will be back between the pipes on Wednesday after Adin Hill led the Golden Knights to a shutout victory over the Flames on Monday. Samsonov secured the victory his last time out, stopping 23 of the 26 shots he faced as Vegas defeated the Sharks by a score of 7-3. Samsonov is off to an impressive start to his Golden Knights tenure, posting a 3-0-1 record and a .932 SV% across four appearances. He'll look to keep things rolling in a tight matchup on Wednesday as Vegas enters action at -130 on the money line.

Englund will re-enter the lineup as the Kings opt to get some fresh bodies in for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Englund has one goal and no assists in four games this season.