NHL Hockey Player News

Johnson left Columbus' previous game vs. Buffalo after just 6:26 TOI due to an upper-body injury and is now expected to miss some time after head coach Dean Evason stated "it's not short-term" in regards to his return. It is unfortunate news for the 22-year-old, who was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals, five points and eight SOG in his first four games played.

Ludvig re-enters the lineup in place of the scratched Oliver Kylington. Ludvig has played in just one game this season, registering a shot on goal and two hits in just over 18 minutes of ice time.

Kylington will draw out as John Ludvig re-enters the lineup. Kylington is yet to register a point or a shot on goal in two games this season.

A sparse schedule and a weather postponement have resulted in the Hurricanes playing the fewest games in the league thus far, only twice in the first two weeks of the season, but will turn to Andersen in the crease for their third game on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Andersen has not played in seven days since saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andersen will likely see a steady split in playing time with Pyotr Kochetkov throughout the season unless one can run away with the starting job. The Hurricanes enter action on Friday as -161 road favorites against the Penguins.

Slaggert was a third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old Indiana native made his NHL debut last season, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in 16 games with Chicago.

After a disappointing three-game losing skid to start the season, the Oilers have won two straight and will return to Skinner between the pipes on Saturday afternoon in a rematch of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars. Skinner has allowed three or more goals in each of his three games this season (1-2-0), but was solid in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Ducks will turn to Dostal for the second straight game on Friday night when they visit the Colorado Avalanche. The 24-year-old Czech netminder has been outstanding to start the 2024-25 campaign, responsible for both Ducks wins, posting a tremendous 1.99 GAA and .933 SV%. That said, the Ducks enter action on Friday are sizeable +233 road underdogs against an Avalanche club that is desperate to snap their four-game losing skid to start the season.

Dunn was limited to only 13:10 time-on-ice before exiting Thursday's 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers with an undisclosed injury. Dunn has three points (1G / 2A) in four games while occupying a spot on the top powerplay unit this season. If he is unable to return to the lineup on Saturday against the Calgary Flames, Brandon Montour will likely join the top powerplay unit in the interim.

Smith temporarily exited Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals when he awkwardly collided into the boards after being cross-checked by Andrew Mangiapane but returned to the ice shortly after. The 35-year-old Smith has played three straight games for the Stars since Matt Dumba went down with a lower-body injury.