NHL Hockey Player News

Silovs had a forgetful performance in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 16 shots (.688 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The 24-year-old Latvian goalie has now allowed four or more goals in three straight games (1-2-0), ending a nine-game stretch where he had allowed three or fewer goals (5-2-2). The Penguins enter Monday's contest as sizeable +194 road underdogs against a league-leading Colorado Avalanche team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).

Lizotte showed no signs of an injury in Pittsburgh's most recent game, playing 15:48 time-on-ice, but he will head to the sidelines on Monday due to a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old Lizotte has 19 points (7G / 12A) and a +6 rating through 55 games this season, but has been less effective lately, with zero points and a -6 plus/minus in his last seven. Justin Brazeau is returning from an upper-body injury and will draw into the lineup as Lizotte's replacement.

Brazeau has not played since March 7th, but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 28-year-old Brazeau is seemingly returning well ahead of schedule after being listed as week-to-week on March 10th. Brazeau has been a surprising offensive contributor for Pittsburgh this season, scoring 30 points (16G / 14A) in 48 games.

Silovs had a forgetful performance in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 16 shots (.688 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The 24-year-old Latvian goalie has now allowed four or more goals in three straight games (1-2-0), ending a nine-game stretch where he had allowed three or fewer goals (5-2-2). The Penguins enter Monday's contest as sizeable +194 road underdogs against a league-leading Colorado Avalanche team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).

Jack St. Ivany is returning from a conditioning stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), resulting in Alexeyev being reassigned. Alexeyev has eight points (1G / 7A) in 80 career NHL games, but has only played at the AHL level this season. The 26-year-old defenseman has seven points (3G / 4A) in 29 games this season with Wilkes-Barre Scranton.

St. Ivany has not played since undergoing surgery on his left hand in late January, but is nearing a return after completing a conditioning stint in the AHL. The 26-year-old defenseman was averaging 15:39 time-on-ice and had seven assists in 17 games before his injury. Alexander Alexeyev has been reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Vejmelka has battled some adversity lately and hopes to return to form on Monday, tending the twine against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has struggled since returning from the Olympic break, allowing three or more goals in six of eight games (3-4-1) while posting a pedestrian 3.49 GAA and .866 SV%. The Mammoth enter Monday's contest as +137 road underdogs against the NHL's hottest team, the Dallas Stars, who are 14-0-1 in their last 15 games.

Already without Sidney Crosby (lower body), the Penguins fared reasonably well while Malkin served a five-game suspension, going 2-1-2, but they will be eager to get him back into the lineup on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 39-year-old Malkin has 47 points (13G / 34A) in 46 games this season.

Gudbranson has been sidelined for a week due to an upper-body injury, but he could return on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 34-yer-old defenseman is averaging 17:51 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 21 games this season.

With Mackenzie Blackwood struggling in recent games, Colorado relied a bit more heavily on Wedgewood, who will return to the crease on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Since returning from the Olympic break, Wedgewood has a dazzling 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in five appearances (5-0-0). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as significant -223 home favourites against a Penguins team that will welcome Evgeni Malkin back into the lineup from a five-game suspension.

With Mackenzie Blackwood struggling in recent games, Colorado relied a bit more heavily on Wedgewood, who will return to the crease on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Since returning from the Olympic break, Wedgewood has a dazzling 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in five appearances (5-0-0). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as significant -223 home favourites against a Penguins team that will welcome Evgeni Malkin back into the lineup from a five-game suspension.

The Stars are likely resting Jake Oettinger for a divisional clash against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday and, as such, will turn to DeSmith on Monday against the Utah Mammoth. The 34-year-old DeSmith has won four straight outings, posting an impressive 1.81 GAA and .904 SV%. DeSmith saved 12 of 14 shots in a 3-2 win over Utah earlier this season. The Stars enter Monday's contest as -157 home favourites against a Mammoth team on a four-game losing streak (0-2-2).

Svechnikov was absent from practice on Monday, and his status for Tuesday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets remains unclear. Eric Robinson was in Svechnikov's spot on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis at Monday's practice. The 25-year-old Svechnikov has seven points (3G / 4A) in his last six games, giving him 58 points (24G / 34A) through 66 games this season.

Alexander Steeves will draw back into Boston's lineup on Monday against the New Jersey Devils, resulting in Eyssimont being a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Eyssimont has 18 points (8G / 10A) in 51 games this season, but only has one assist in his last seven outings.

Henri Jokiharju will play his first game in nearly three weeks on Monday against the New Jersey Devils, resulting in Peeke being a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Peeke has only missed three games this season. He is averaging 19:26 time-on-ice and has 12 points (4G / 8A) in 63 games this season.

Andrew Peeke will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Jokiharju to re-enter the lineup for the first time since February 28th. The 26-year-old Jokiharju is averaging 17:55 time-on-ice and has nine assists in 35 games this season.

Michael Eyssimont will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Steeves to re-enter the lineup against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Steeves is averaging 12:00 time-on-ice and has 16 points (9G / 7A) in 40 games this season.