NHL Hockey Player News

Swayman allowed five goals on 33 shots in his last games (.848 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on December 22nd and will look to rebound when he returns to the crease on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. In recent outings against the Sabres, the Bruins have opted to start former Sabres' netminder Linus Ullmark but are using a different approach by turning to Swayman after losing 3-1 to the Sabres earlier this month. Swayman has lost three straight games (0-1-2) despite only allowing two goals in two of them, posting a .912 SV%.

Cody Glass will draw back into the lineup in favour of Trenin, who will be a healthy scratch for the first time since November 11th. Trenin has nine points (7G / 2A), 49 shots, and 79 hits in 33 games this season.

Glass will re-enter the lineup for the Predators in favour of Yakov Trenin, who will be a healthy scratch. Glass last played on December 19th, scoring one point (1G / 0A) and two shots on goal in 12:23 time-on-ice.

Fabbro has been scratched for four of the last five games for the Predators but will return to the lineup on Wednesday in favour of Tyson Barrie. In 25 games this season, Fabbro has skated predominantly alongside Roman Josi and has seven points (2G / 5A), 19 hits, and 40 blocks.

Barrie will be a healthy scratch as Dante Fabbro will draw back into the Predators' lineup. 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.

Askarov was recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals and participated in practice for the Predators on Wednesday morning. Kevin Lankinen (illness) was not present at practice and as a result, Askarov suited up as the backup goaltender. Askarov was the 11th overall pick of the Predators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has a 2.45 GAA and .908 SV% through 15 games (8-6-1) with the Admirals this season.

Lankinen, who last played on December 19th, saving 11 of 11 shots in relief of Juuse Saros, is battling an illness and will not suit up for the Predators on Wednesday. The team has recalled Yaroslav Askarov, who will serve as the backup to Saros.

Hartman did not play the last two games for Minnesota but will likely return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Hartman has nine goals and six assists in 27 games this season while playing predominantly alongside Mats Zuccarello and Kiril Kaprizov.

Minnesota has opted to give Gustavsson some rest over the last week, but the team will turn back to him Wednesday for his second start in their last four games. After a horrendous start to the 2023-24 campaign, Gustavsson has been among the league's best goaltenders over the last month, allowing two or fewer goals in seven of nine games (7-2-0), posting a sensational .936 SV%. Minnesota is a -136 home favourite against the Detroit Red Wings, who have lost five of their last six games (1-5-0).

Saros allowed two goals in the last 15 seconds in the Predators' last game before the Christmas break, a heart-breaking 3-2 regulation loss to the Dallas Stars. That said, Saros has played well over the last month and will likely return to the crease on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Saros has won 11 of his last 14 games (11-3-0), allowing two goals or fewer in nine, posting an impressive .923 SV%. The Predators are +124 home underdogs against the Hurricanes, who have lost four of their last five (1-1-3).

Korpisalo did not play in the Senators' last game, their first win in seventh attempts, but will likely return to the crease on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Korpisalo has struggled lately, losing five straight, allowing four or more goals in each, and posting an ugly .861 SV% in the process. The Senators lost 4-3 to the Maple Leafs earlier this month, with Anton Forsberg between the pipes, and are +137 road underdogs against them on Wednesday evening.

Johnson did not play in the Blackhawks' last game due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup on Wednesday as Cole Guttman will be a healthy scratch. The 33-year-old Johnson has only one point (1G / 0A), a -4 plus/minus, and 15 shots in his last seven games.

Guttman will be a healthy scratch and return to the press box as Tyler Johnson (undisclosed) will return to the lineup. Guttman registered 8:02 time-on-ice, one shot, and one hit entering the lineup in favour of Johnson on December 23rd.

Alex Vlasic will enter the lineup in favour of Crevier, who will exit the lineup for the first time since December 5th. While playing nine consecutive games for the Blackhawks, Crevier recorded three points (0G / 3A) and a -5 plus/minus.

Vlasic will play for the first time since December 14th as Louis Crevier will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday. The 6'6 Vlasic has six points (1G / 5A) and 51 blocks through 27 games this season.

Bobrovsky saved 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in the Panthers' last game before the Christmas break, an impressive 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday and will likely return to the crease on Wednesday. The sometimes-inconsistent Bobrovsky has played well over the last month, posting a .916 SV% through nine games (6-3-0). The Panthers are slight -112 road favourites against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 13-6.

Mrazek did not play in the Blackhawks' last game, a 7-5 loss to the St. Louis Blues, but will likely return to the crease on Wednesday for his fourth straight in their last five games. Mrazek only has one win in his last five appearances for the bottom-dwelling Blackhawks (1-3-0), posting a .888 SV% in the process. The Blackhawks are significant +195 home underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets, who have points in five straight games (4-0-1).

Shesterkin is riding a three-game winning streak and will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. Shesterkin has not been true-to-form this season but is amid one of his better stretches of play, allowing only six goals on the last 85 shots he has faced (.929 SV%) over his last three games (3-0-0). The Rangers are sizeable -204 home favourites on Wednesday against the Capitals, despite being shut out 4-0 against them earlier this month.

Askarov was recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals and participated in practice for the Predators on Wednesday morning. Kevin Lankinen (illness) was not present at practice and as a result, Askarov suited up as the backup goaltender. Askarov was the 11th overall pick of the Predators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has a 2.45 GAA and .908 SV% through 15 games (8-6-1) with the Admirals this season.

The Maple Leafs will turn to Jones again, his fourth start in the last five games, as he has been more reliable than Ilya Samsonov between the pipes. Jones has been serviceable in limited action this season, posting a 2.79 GAA and .917 SV% through six appearances (4-1-0). The veteran netminder has failed to record a save percentage above .900 since the 2017-18 season (.915 SV%) as a member of the San Jose Sharks but has a favourable matchup Wednesday (-170 home favourites) against an Ottawa Senators team that has lost six of their last seven (1-6-0).