NHL Hockey Player News

Mrazek will likely on Tuesday, giving him consecutive starts for the second time in the last two wakes, a rare occurrence in what has been a season mostly consisting of an equal rotation between Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom. Mrazek has played well for the bottom-dwelling Blackhawks this season, posting a 3.10 GAA and .907 SV% in 19 games (7-10-0), but has allowed four goals in each of his last two starts (0-2-0), posting a .867 SV%. As they are most nights, the Blackhawks are sizeable underdogs (+215) as they host the Colorado Avalanche, a team that defeated them 4-0 in their last meeting.

After winning eight straight contests, the Oilers have lost two in a row and will look to get back in the win column with Skinner between the pipes on Tuesday. Skinner last played on Friday, allowing five goals on 22 shots (.773 SV%) in a 7-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but was near impenetrable heading into that game, posting a .934 SV% over a seven-game stretch (7-0-0). The Oilers are -134 road favourites against the New York Islanders, who have lost two straight games (0-1-1).

Sean Couturier received a maintenance day and did not practice on Monday, and was a game-time decision ahead of Tuesday's game against the New Jersey Devils. After missing the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign, Couturier hasn't missed a step. He has points in six of his last eight games, seven total (2G / 5A), and is averaging 3.4 shots per game.

Ullmark will be back between the pipes on Tuesday after Jeremy Swayman got the nod in Saturday's 2-1 overtime defeat to the Rangers. Ullmark has endured a relatively cold stretch of late, registering a 3-3-0 record and an .893 SV% across his last six starts. He did collect a win his last time out over the Islanders despite surrendering four goals on 37 shots. He draws an enticing matchup on Tuesday with the Bruins being -225 home favourites over the Wild.

McAvoy will return to action on Tuesday after returning to practice on Monday as a full participant, including lining up on the top powerplay unit, a spot previously occupied by Kevin Shattenkirk. McAvoy has missed four straight games due to an upper-body injury suffered on December 7th.

Shesterkin has struggled this season but is coming off one of his stronger performances, saving 21 of 22 shots (.955 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday. His 2.91 GAA and .904 SV% through 18 games (11-7-0) are well below what is expected of the 2021-22 Vezina winner. Shesterkin and the Rangers are slight -102 road underdogs on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who defeated them 7-3 one week ago. The Maple Leafs have scored 19 goals over their last three games (2-0-1) and are the hottest team in the NHL over the last five weeks (10-1-4).

Jones will start for the Maple Leafs on Tuesday after a heroic 38-save shutout in their last game, a 7-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. In three appearances with the Maple Leafs this season (3-0-0), all over the last two weeks, Jones has been sensational, posting a 1.85 GAA and .949 SV%. If Jones can maintain consistency while Joseph Woll (lower-body) is injured, he will likely receive at least a timeshare between the pipes. The Maple Leafs are slight -113 home favourites on Tuesday against the New York Rangers, who the Maple Leafs convincingly defeated by a score of 7-3 in Jones' first start of the season.

Akira Schmid started each of the last two games for the Devils, a back-to-back set, as Vanecek was unable to play due to an illness. That said, he was in the starter's crease at Tuesday's morning skate, indicating he will return to net against the Philadelphia Flyers. Vanecek has struggled with consistency this season but is amid his best two-game stretch (2-0-0), allowing only three goals on a combined 49 shots (.939 SV%). The Devils are coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks and are -159 home favourites against a Flyers team with points in eight straight contests (6-0-2).

Levi has been tremendous since re-joining the Sabres after a brief stint in the AHL, allowing two or fewer goals in all four games (3-0-1) and sporting a marvellous .942 SV%. Levi will start on Tuesday in a favourable matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, as the Sabres are sizeable -181 home favourites against a team that has lost five of their last seven contests (2-4-1). Levi will have started five of seven games for the Sabres since being recalled and is clearly the favourite between the pipes for the Sabres coaching staff.

With the return of Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina will return to a standard 12/6 lineup and Tony DeAngelo will be the odd man out and a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. Vegas. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a solid return to Carolina after signing a one-year contract in the offseason, with two goals, nine points, 33 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -10 plus/minus in 20 games played this season.

Hart was originally reported to be starting Tuesday but will remain out for a fourth-straight game due to illness. The 25-year-old returned to practice Monday but was deemed not fit to return even though he was a full participant. When he does return, he will look to build off his 9-6-1 record, 2.42 GAA and .919 SV%.

Svechnikov has been out for the Hurricanes' previous six games due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return Tuesday vs. Vegas. The 23-year-old started his 2023-24 season late due to a pre-existing knee injury and has a goal, 11 points, 41 SOG, and 20 PIMs in 16 prior to his most recent ailment.

Kochetkov will make his fifth-straight start Tuesday as he hosts the Vegas Golden Nights in Raleigh as he attempts his third win in four games since taking over as full time starter with Antti Raanta placed on waivers. The 24-year-old netminder signed a four-year, $8 million contract in the offseason and has repaid the Hurricanes with a 6-6-2 record, 2.62 GAA and .894 SV%. He will host the powerhouse that is Vegas, who has won five of their last six games and are ninth in the NHL in both shots per game (32.5) and goals per game (3.41).

Carter Hart was originally reported as the Flyers' starter Tuesday but instead will be out due to illness as Samuel Ersson gets his fourth-consecutive start. The 24-year-old Swedish netminder has steadily improved as the season has rolled on (.930 SV% in last 9 GP), with his 7-3-2 record, .897 SV%, 2.57 GAA and two shutouts. He takes on the New Jersey Devils, who lost their previous contest 5-1 to Anaheim and are ranked seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.48).