NHL Hockey Player News

Novak was a surprise scratch on Friday, with the Predators not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Fedor Svechkov will draw into the lineup in his place.

Tomasino went into the boards awkwardly in Friday's game against the Panthers and was unable to put any weight on his right leg as he exited the ice. We should receive an update on his status ahead of the Penguins game in Carolina on Sunday.

Laine was a surprise scratch on Friday, with the team only announcing his absence minutes before warmups. We should get an update on his status ahead of Montreal's game in Colorado on Saturday.

Savard is battling an undisclosed injury and will miss Friday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He only played 15:40 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, his second-lowest ice time of the season. The 34-year-old defenseman has 10 points (1G / 9A), 90 blocks, and 31 hits in 35 games this season.

Faulk played a season-low 16:16 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks and will be held out on Friday against the Ottawa Senators. The 32-year-old Faulk is averaging 23:27 time-on-ice and has 13 points (2G / 11A) in 37 games this season. He also been active on the Blues' second powerplay unit.

The move was made retroactive to December 23rd, so this doesn't actually suggest Pettersson is expected to be out any longer than the team previously announced when they said he was expected to miss at least seven days back on December 29th. The Canucks also called up goaltender Artus Silovs in a corresponding move as Thatcher Demko is unavailable for Friday's game due to a back injury.

Pickering has missed the last three games due to a concussion but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 20-year-old Pickering is averaging 15:47 time-on-ice, scoring two points (1G / 1A) in 14 games in his first NHL season. Ryan Shea will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Pickering's return.