NHL Hockey Player News

Levi has been excellent since returning from a brief stint in the AHL and will start for the fourth time in five games for the Sabres. In his last three games (2-0-1), Levi has only allowed five goals, showing the pedigree that made him a high-end prospect, posting a tremendous .942 SV%. The Sabres are +178 road underdogs in their first matchup of the season against the Vegas Golden Knights, who are riding a four-game winning streak, outscoring their opposition 22-12.

Kelemen will be the odd-man out on Friday with Jack McBain (lower-body) set to make his return following a 15-game absence. Kelemen has no goals and one assist in ten games with the Coyotes this season.

Oettinger played only eight minutes before being lifted due to the injury. Scott Wedgewood will tend the twine for the Stars in his absence. We can expect to receive some sort of update from the Stars' on Oettinger's status following the completion of Friday's game.

Forsberg will draw back into the Senators' crease for the first time since December 7th as Ottawa is set to play their second game in as many nights. Forsberg took the loss his last time out, allowing four goals on 22 shots enroute to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old netminder has endured a rocky start to his 2023-24 campaign, posting an .885 SV% and a 3.03 GAA. He draws another difficult assignment on Friday as the Senators find themselves as +185 underdogs in Dallas.

Evangelista will get the opportunity to play on Friday as Kiefer Sherwood (upper-body) is unavailable. Evangelista has four goals and ten assists in 28 games this season.

Sherwood was a late scratch for Friday's game with the team announcing his absence less than 15 minutes before puck drop. Luke Evangelista will draw into the lineup in his place.

Mitchell will make way for the recently recalled Parker Wotherspoon. Mitchell has zero goals and two assists in 11 games this season.

Wotherspoon was recalled from the Providence Bruins of the AHL on Thursday as Charlie McAvoy has been placed on the injured reserve. Wotherspoon played three games for the Bruins earlier this season, recording one point (0G / 1A) while averaging 13:51 time-on-ice.

Sturm suffered a mid-body injury on Tuesday that limited him to only 8:44 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old German has only registered on the score sheet once in the last nine games, a two-goal performance on December 7th against the Detroit Red Wings.

Tatar was traded to Seattle in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick. Tatar's time in Colorado lasted just 27 games, where he scored one goal and added eight assists while playing just over 11 minutes a night.

The Predators are opting to defy the conventional approach to a back-to-back and give Lankinen the start on Friday, meaning Juuse Saros is likely to get the nod against the Capitals on Saturday. Lankinen took a tough-luck loss his last start on December 9th in Toronto, allowing three goals on 36 shots in the 4-0 defeat. He'll have his hands full again tonight with the Predators being +145 underdogs in Caorlina.

Raanta will get his first start in three contests after Pyotr Kochetkov showed some impressive play over the Hurricanes' previous two victories (1.00 GAA). The 34-year-old veteran netminder has looked horrendous filling in for the Injured Frederik Andersen (blood clot) with his 6-5-0 record, 3.40 GAA and .860 SV%. He'll host the Nashville Predators Friday, who are winners of two-straight but are 17th in the NHL in goals per game (3.07).

Studenic is yet to register a point in his two appearances with the Kraken this season. He has however been productive with the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds, scoring seven goals and tallying five assists in 16 games.

Edstrom was a late addition to the Rangers lineup on Friday after Nick Bonino (illness) was deemed unable to go following warmups. The 23-year-old has seven goals and two assists in 21 games with Hartford (AHL) this season.

Bonino was a very late scratch on Friday, having taken the line rushes in warmups before ultimately deciding he was unable to go. He has one goal and three assists in 27 games this season. Rookie Adam Edstrom will make his NHL debut on Friday in place of Bonino.

Cicek was acquired along with a 2024 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for forward Jack Studnicka. The 23-year-old defenseman is yet to appear in the NHL this season after playing 16 games with the Sharks a season ago. He has one goal and two assists in 18 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) this season.

Studnicka was acquried in exchange for defenseman Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round draft pick. Studnicka played five games with the Canucks this season, registering one goal and zero assists. He's spent most of his time in Abbotsford (AHL) this year, scoring one goal and adding six assists in nine games.

Tarasenko was a late scratch on Friday with the Senators announcing his absence shortly after 6:00 pm ET. The 32-year-old winger has six goals and 13 assists in his first 24 games as a Senator. Rourke Chartier will take Tarasenko's spot in the lineup on Friday.

Raanta will get his first start in three contests after Pyotr Kochetkov showed some impressive play over the Hurricanes' previous two victories (1.00 GAA). The 34-year-old veteran netminder has looked horrendous filling in for the Injured Frederik Andersen (blood clot) with his 6-5-0 record, 3.40 GAA and .860 SV%. He'll host the Nashville Predators Friday, who are winners of two-straight but are 17th in the NHL in goals per game (3.07).

Balinskis had a goal, two points, 18 SOG, and six PIMs in 18 games played with the Panthers but has been reassigned to Charlotte (AHL) on Friday. The 27-year-old Latvian first-year player has appeared in only one game for Charlotte in his career and scored one goal but will make a welcome sign to the team with his physical presence.