NHL Hockey Player News

We caught a glimpse of Vasilevskiy of old in his previous start as he shut out the Dallas Stars in a 25 save effort for the sixth time in his career and we re-take the crease Wednesday vs. Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old superstar netminder has struggled with his return from back surgery so far this season as he is 2-3-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .887 SV%. He faces the heavy shooting Pittsburgh Penguins, who are on a two-game losing streak but are third in the NHL in shots per game (33.5).

Gadjovich was a healthy scratch for the Panthers' previous game but will draw into the lineup Wednesday vs. Dallas on the fourth line. The 25-year-old left-winger has yet to score this season but has an assist, eight SOG, 41 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in seven games played.

Lorentz has a goal, two assists, 11 SOG, four PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 19 game in his first season in Florida but will be a healthy scratch Wednesday vs. Dallas. The 27-year-old Kitchener native will be replaced by Jonah Gadjovich, who will enter the Panthers' fourth line.

Demko will start for the fourth consecutive time and eighth time in the last nine games for the Canucks on Tuesday. Despite a somewhat shaky November, Demko remains among the league leaders with a stellar 2.26 GAA and .924 SV% in 18 games (12-6-0). More recently, Demko has won three of his last four starts (3-1-0), allowing only nine goals and posting a .926 SV%. The Canucks are slight -109 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored 19 goals in their last four games (3-1-0).

Vanecek will return to the Devils' crease for the first time since November 28th after Akira Schmid got the nod in each of New Jersey's last two games. Vanecek has been unable to find his form all season long and has struggled especially of late, posting an ugly .848 SV% across his last four appearances. Thanks to some great goal support, Vanecek does own an 8-5-0 record on the season despite his .879 SV% and 3.49 GAA. He'll have his hands full again on Tuesday in a difficult road matchup against the Canucks.

Lindholm is dealing with an illness which prevented him from participating in practice on Monday and made him a game-time decision on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Lindholm scored two points (2G / 0A) on Saturday, his first two-goal performance of the season, snapping a three-game pointless skid. Lindholm's 17 points (7G / 10A) in 24 games have him pacing for his lowest point total since joining the Flames in the 2018-19 season.

Nichuskin is battling an illness and will not play on Tuesday. The Avalanche, already without Cale Makar, will be hurting without the offensive talents of Nichushkin, who has been tremendous lately, posting 13 points (8G / 5A) in his last 11 games playing predominantly on the top line and top powerplay unit.

Makar did not play on Sunday after exiting Saturday's contest late in the third period with a lower-body injury. He was a limited participant at morning skate on Tuesday and was a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. His next chance to return to the lineup will be Thursday when the Avs play host to the Jets.

Georgiev is the starter for the Avalanche in a favourable matchup against the Anaheim Ducks and their fifth-worst offence in the league (2.75 GF / GP). The Avalanche have lost three straight contests (0-1-2), including a 4-3 shootout loss to the Ducks last week with Ivan Prosvetov between the pipes, but are still sizeable -286 home favourites against the Ducks, whose only victory in their last nine games was against the Avalanche (1-8-0). Meanwhile, Georgiev has played admirably lately, allowing only 12 total goals in his five games (3-3-1), boasting a .924 SV%.

Barrie was a healthy scratch for the Predators' previous two games and will draw back into the lineup Tuesday after also making a trade request over the weekend. The 32-year-old will take the spot of Cole Smith (illness) and will hope to upgrade his trade value and add to his 10 assists, 33 SOG, and 10 PIMs in 23 games he has so far this season.

Smith has four goals, five assists, 29 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 24 games this season but will miss Tuesday vs. Chicago due to illness and is considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old will be replaced by Tyson Barrie, who returns after a two game absence over the weekend as Nashville goes with an 11 forward, seven defensemen lineup.

Saros is the starter for the Predators on Tuesday after an exceptional performance on Sunday, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Saros has elevated his game considerably lately, winning five of his last six starts (5-1-0) and boasting an impressive .918 SV%. The Predators have a favourable matchup on Tuesday and are -179 road favourites against a Blackhawks team that has been outscored 12-3 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

Zadina has not suited up for the last five games due to a lower-body injury but will make his return to the Sharks lineup on Tuesday against the New York Islanders after being activated from the Injured Reserve Tuesday. Zadina has struggled in his first season with the Sharks, as has most of the team, scoring five points (3G / 2A) and registering an ugly -19 plus/minus through 20 games.

Barzal missed Saturday's game with an illness, but will return to his usual spot on the first line alongside Bo Horvat and Anders Lee for Tuesday's game against the Sharks. He has seven goals and 16 assists in 22 games this season.

A defenseman by trade, Evans has two goals and six assists in 18 games with the Firebirds this season. The 2021 second-round draft pick is yet to make his NHL debut.

Laine was a surprise scratch for Tuesday's game with the Blue Jackets announcing his absence less than 30 minutes before puck drop. Laine's first chance to return to the lineup will be on Long Island on Thursday. He has five goals and two assists in 16 games this season.

Peeke will take the place of the injured Erik Gudbranson. It will be just his fifth game of the season and his first since November 11th. He has no goals and one assist on the season.

Andrew Peeke will draw back into the lineup for the Blue Jackets in place of Gudbranson.Gudbranson has played all 26 games for the Blue Jackets this season, scoring nine points (2G / 7A), averaging 19:47 time-on-ice, and registering a -11 plus/minus through 26 games.

Copley and Cam Talbot were originally slated to be a timeshare tandem, but a horrid start to the season for Copley derailed that plan and saw him see limited action in the first six weeks of the season. Since then, Copley has regained some trust from the Kings' coaching staff, as he has a sensational .980 SV% across his last two outings (2-0-0) and will start for the third time in seven games. The Kings have a favourable matchup for Copley on Tuesday as they are -199 road favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that ranks in the bottom third of the league offensively (2.85 GF / GP).