NHL Hockey Player News

After starting seven straight games (6-1-0), Skinner will be rested against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday after serving as the backup to Calvin Pickard in a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. Skinner is riding a six-game winning streak and has been tremendous for the Oilers, allowing only 11 total goals over that stretch, posting a .932 SV%. The Oilers have turned their season around as they will look for their eighth straight win as overwhelming -468 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that has not scored more than three goals in their last seven games (2-4-1).

Over his last two games, Kochetkov has allowed six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) as the Hurricanes are in the middle of a season-worst four-game losing skid (0-4-0). Partly due to the Hurricanes' elite shot suppression and defensive style, no goalie has been able to put up elite numbers between the crease, as visible by Kochetkov's 3.12 GAA and .873 SV% in 12 games (4-6-1-). That said, the Hurricanes will need a strong performance from Kochetkov as he faces off against an Ottawa Senators team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0), outscoring their opposition 16-6.

Pesce did not practice on Monday and will be a game-time decision Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Pesce has only two points (1G / 1A) in 19 games this season but has been a steadying presence on the blueline for the Hurricanes, averaging 20:15 time-on-ice and blocking 38 shots.

Svechnikov was a late scratch on Thursday due to an upper-body injury and subsequently missed Saturday's contest. The Hurricanes revealed that Svechnikov had an MRI and will be out indefinitely. Svechnikov has been unlucky with injuries lately, dating back to last season when he had season-ending knee surgery that kept him out of the lineup for the first several weeks of the 2023-24 campaign as well. The talented 23-year-old has not been as dominant as flashy as he has been in the past, tallying only 11 points (1G / 10A) in 16 games thus far.

Poehling did not play the last two games for the Flyers due to an illness but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. Through 22 games this season, Poehling has six points (2G / 4A) and is averaging a career-high 12:52 time-on-ice. He has spent the majority of this season skating alongside Nicolas Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway.

Staal will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, the third time in the last six games, allowing Ryan Poehling (illness) to draw back into the lineup. Staal has been ineffective when called upon this season, averaging a career-low 13:33 time-on-ice and zero points through 11 games.

Despite an unflattering .885 SV% to go with a 2.78 GAA, Ersson has won four straight games, stringing together the best play of his career at the NHL level. Ersson has only allowed eight total goals on 117 shots (.932 SV%) and recorded a shutout during his four-game winning streak, a significant uptick in play after starting the season with a .830 SV% in his first five outings (1-3-1). The Flyers have won four straight but are +126 road underdogs against a Nashville Predators team that has won four of their last five (4-1-0).

McMann will return to the Maple Leafs lineup for the first time since November 30th as Ryan Reaves will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old McMann has two points (0G / 2A) in four games this season and will likely slot in on the fourth line with David Kampf and Noah Gregor.

Saros was tremendous in his last game, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens and will look for his fifth straight victory on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Saros has been excellent during a four-game winning streak, allowing only six goals total on 133 shots (.955 SV%). The Predators are -135 home favourites against a surprising Flyers team that has won four straight but will turn to backup goalie Samuel Ersson.

Despite a losing 8-10-2 record, Jarry is arguably stringing together the best season of his career, showcasing a 2.48 GAA and .918 SV%, along with leading the league with three shutouts. The Penguins have hovered around .500 all season (11-12-3), partly due to their inability to provide Jarry with ample goal support, highlighted by their 30th-ranked powerplay (9.5%). That said, Jarry and the low-scoring Penguins are still -192 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes team that played last night and is amid a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).

Jones finds himself with the team because Joseph Wall will be out of the lineup for several weeks with an ankle sprain and, on the back end of a back-to-back, will make his first start of the season for the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Jones played well in relief last week, saving nine of 10 shots (.900 SV%) and shutting the door to secure a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators. The 33-year-old netminder has plenty of NHL experience but has played exclusively in the AHL thus far, posting a 3.37 GAA and .870 SV% in five games (2-1-1). Jones and the Maple Leafs will have their work cut out for them as +151 road underdogs against the New York Rangers.

Joseph has not played since November 4th, recovering from a lower-body injury, and has only played five total games this season. During a conditioning stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Joseph scored one point (0G / 1A) in two games. He will draw into the Penguins lineup Tuesday for Ryan Shea.

Luke Schenn will re-enter the Predators lineup on Tuesday in favour of Tyson Barrie, who will be a healthy scratch for the fourth time in the last seven games. Schenn has zero points in nine games this season but continues to play his hard-nosed brand of hockey, tallying 30 hits and 11 blocks while averaging 14:29 time-on-ice.

Barrie will again be a healthy scratch on Tuesday for the fourth time in the last seven games. Trade rumours have circulated about Barrie, who is in the last year of a contract ($4.5 million AAV) and has been unable to establish himself since being traded to the Predators last season. Luke Schenn is expected to draw back into the lineup with Barrie in the press box.

Myers has played 12 games with the Lightning over the last two seasons, scoring three points (1G / 2A) and a -1 plus/minus rating. Myers' call-up is likely precautionary in the event that Victor Hemdan (undisclosed), a game-time decision, will be unable to suit up on Tuesday.

McAvoy played only 15:53 time-on-ice on Thursday before exiting the game with a shoulder injury. The 25-year-old defenseman did not play on Saturday and has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the New Jersey Devils. His status remains to be determined for the team's next contest on Friday against the New York Islanders. Kevin Shattenkirk has assumed McAvoy's duties on the top powerplay in his absence.

Zacha exited Saturday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes with an upper-body injury after playing only 6:42 time-on-ice and has been ruled out of action on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. His status remains to be determined for the team's next contest on Friday against the New York Islanders. Zacha has centred the top line and top powerplay unit all season, scoring 19 points (8G / 11A) in 26 games, averaging 18:22 time-on-ice. Morgan Geekie is expected to center the top line between Jake DeBrusk and David Pastrnak during Zacha's absence and assume duties on the top powerplay.

Harris has not played since November 18th, missing 10 consecutive games, and will miss an additional 10-14 days as he recovers from a lower-body injury. The 23-year Harris was averaging 18:45 time-on-ice and had three points (0G / 3A) through 16 games this season.

Tanev was unable to complete a full shift, exiting Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche after only 0:15 with an undisclosed injury after taking a hit from Ross Colton. Tanev has been a steadying force on the blueline for the Flames this season, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 65 blocks, and 11 hits through 28 games.