NHL Hockey Player News

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Flyers will turn to Samuel Ersson for the sixth time in the last seven games. Ersson's clutch of the starting position for the Flyers is a result of Hart being unable to play due to various injuries and illnesses over the last month, but he has made the most of his time between the pipes. Ersson has played nine games since mid-November (7-1-1), allowing three or fewer goals in each, posting a stellar .926 SV%. That said, the Flyers will be put to the test as +136 road underdogs on Thursday against a Vancouver Canucks club that was shut out by the Flyers 2-0 in the opening week of the season.

Carpenter has not played since December 3rd, a 10-game absence, and will be eligible to return to the lineup for the Sharks on Thursday after being activated from the injured reserve. The 32-year-old centre is on pace to play the most amount of games he has in three seasons and has a goal, four assists, 21 SOG, and two PIMs in 18 games played this season. In a corresponding move, the Sharks placed Givani Smith on IR.

Smith last played on December 21st and will be out of the lineup indefinitely as he has been placed on IR with a lower-body injury. He has one goal and two assists in 26 games this season.

With Alex Lyon returning from an upper-body injury, the Red Wings will roll with him and James Reimer, prompting the team to place Hutchinson on waivers to be reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In one game with the Red Wings, Hutchinson saved 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils last week.

Jost drew into the Sabres lineup on Wednesday after Tage Thompson was a last-minute scratch due to personal reasons and has now been placed on waivers. Jost played 6:53 time-on-ice, recording a +1 plus/minus, and one shot on goal.

In their first game back from the Christmas break, the Canucks will likely turn to Casey DeSmith and give Thatcher Demko an extended rest, as they will not play again until January 2nd. DeSmith last played on December 19th, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and is amid a hot streak, allowing two goals or less, posting a .965 SV% while recording at least a point in each of his last three contests (2-0-1). The Canucks are -164 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has lost two straight.

Roslovic has not played since November 12th, a 21-game absence, due to a fractured ankle and could make his return to the lineup on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs despite not participating in line rushes at practice on Thursday. Before his injury, Roslovic played predominantly on a line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, scoring eight points (2G / 6A) in 14 games.

Werenski suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday's contest against the New Jersey Devils and exited the game after playing only 11:15 time-on-ice. Werenski has struggled to stay healthy the last several seasons and will likely be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games. Ivan Provorov assumed the top powerplay role after Werenski exited the game on Wednesday.

Petry skated on a pair with Ben Chiarot at practice on Thursday and is expected to make his return to the lineup after being unable to play on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. In 27 games this season, Petry has ten points (1G / 9A), 34 shots, 34 hits, and 49 blocks.

Maatta is expected to draw back into the lineup after a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury. The veteran defenseman skated alongside Shayne Gostisbehere at practice on Thursday and has six points (1G / 5A), 16 hits, and 29 blocks through 27 games this season.

With Olli Maatta and Jeff Petry expected to return to the lineup on Friday, Edvinsson is expected to serve as a healthy scratch. Edvinsson played the last two games from the Red Wings, averaging over 14 minutes of time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A), and registering three hits.

Lyon has been on injured reserve with an upper-body injury after exiting a December 16th contest against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period. In his absence, the Red Wings, also without Ville Husso, went 1-5-0 while relying predominantly on James Reimer. Before his injury, Lyon was stellar, allowing one goal or fewer in four of his last six games (4-2-0), posting a tremendous .938 SV%. The Red Wings will face off against the Nashville Predators, who have lost two straight games (0-2-0).

Buchnevich was held without a point in 19:42 time-on-ice on Wednesday, firing five shots on goals and taking three hits, but was absent from practice on Thursday as he battles an illness. His status for Friday's contest against the Colorado Avalanche remains in the air.

Samsonov has served as the backup to the Maple Leafs' third-string goaltender, Martin Jones, in four of the last games but will get the opportunity to reassert himself in a favourable matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. Samsonov has been abysmal when called upon lately, allowing four or more goals in each of his last three contests (0-1-2), posting an ugly .819 SV%. Samsonov allowed six goals on 35 shots (.829 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets two weeks ago.

Barrie was a healthy scratch on Wednesday, replaced by Dante Fabbro, and is now day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Before the Christmas break, Barrie had played five straight games for the Predators, scoring one point (1G / 0A), a -2 plus/minus, and averaged slightly over 17 minutes per night.

Varlamov entered Wednesday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the third period, allowing one goal on seven shots (.857 SV%). However, he was absent from practice on Thursday, dealing with an undisclosed injury, and is considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders recalled Ken Appleby from Bridgeport (AHL), who will likely serve as the backup to Sorokin if Varlamov is unable to suit up on Friday.

Giordano has not played since November 28th, missing 12 games, and will likely return to the lineup on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before his injury, Giordano skated predominantly on a pair with Jake McCabe, scoring five points (1G / 4A) while averaging 17:52 time-on-ice in 20 games this season.

Werenski suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday's contest against the New Jersey Devils and exited the game after playing only 11:15 time-on-ice. Werenski has struggled to stay healthy the last several seasons and will be reevaluated after not participating in practice on Thursday. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games.

Caufield has four points during his current four-game point streak (1G / 3A) and will play on Thursday after not partaking in the morning skate on Thursday. The talented winger has one goal in his last 11 games but still produces a high shot volume, averaging 3.4 shots per game.