NHL Hockey Player News

Talbot will start for the Kings on Wednesday and should be well rested, having only played once in the last 10 days, a 29-save performance (.935 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Talbot was a workhorse to start the season but could be used more conservatively moving forward as backup goalie Phoenix Copley has had consecutive strong performances, indicating he has refound his game after a poor start. In 14 games this season (10-3-1), Talbot has been among the league's best goaltenders, posting a tremendous 2.02 GAA and .931 SV%. The Kings are sizeable -203 home favourites against a Washington Capitals team that ranks 31st in the league offensively (2.33 GF / GP) and has been outscored 7-1 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Holl had a three-assist performance on October 21st but has been held off the scoresheet in each of the 11 games since. He was a game-time decision on Wednesday against the New York Rangers.

Fox has 11 points (3G / 8A) in 10 games and has not played since November 2nd. During his absence, Fox has been replaced on the Rangers' top powerplay by Erik Gustafsson, who has performed admirably, scoring 10 points (1G / 9A). That said, Gustafsson was averaging 2:46 less time-on-ice before Fox was injured, scoring only four points (2G / 2A) in 10 games, which is closer to what can be expected from him after Fox returns.

Lindgren will start for the fourth time in the last six games and attempt to rebound after allowing five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in a 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in his last outing. His most recent performance aside, Lindgren has been terrific this season, outperforming his counterpart Darcy Kuemper with a 2.51 GAA and .926 SV% in six games (4-2-0). The Capitals rank second-worst in the league offensively (2.33 GF / GP), so there is very little room for error for Lindgren, who will be put to the test tonight against the league's strongest offensive team, the Los Angeles Kings (4.00 GF / GP).

Aube-Kubel will return to the Capitals' lineup on Wednesday as Hendrix Lapierre will sit in the press box as a healthy scratch. Aube-Kubel has three points (1G / 2A) in six games this season but has been held off the scoresheet in his last four games. He has played almost exclusively this season on the fourth line with Nic Dowd and Beck Malenstyn.

Lapierre will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Nicolas Aube-Kubel to re-enter the Capitals' lineup. Lapierre has three points (1G / 2A) in seven games this season, all of which came in the same game.

Lindgren will start for the fourth time in the last six games and attempt to rebound after allowing five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in a 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in his last outing. His most recent performance aside, Lindgren has been terrific this season, outperforming his counterpart Darcy Kuemper with a 2.51 GAA and .926 SV% in six games (4-2-0). The Capitals rank second-worst in the league offensively (2.33 GF / GP), so there is very little room for error for Lindgren, who will be put to the test tonight against the league's strongest offensive team, the Los Angeles Kings (4.00 GF / GP).

Butcher had yet to play this season due to an undisclosed injury but was placed on waivers Tuesday by Pittsburgh and cleared with expectations to assign him to the AHL. The 28-year-old did not appear in the NHL in 2022-23, but had a successful campaign with the Texas Stars (AHL) where he had six goals, 43 points and a +11 plus/minus in 65 games played.

Perry's saga as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks is officially over after an unceremonious contract termination. In a statement released by the team, Perry engaged in "unacceptable conduct" that violated his contract and team standards. Perry was amid a somewhat resurgent start to the season, scoring nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 games.

Theodore missed the last three games with an upper-body injury with an uncertain timeframe but has since been updated to week-to-week after undergoing surgery. Theodore was pacing for the most productive season of his career with 18 points (4G / 14A) in 20 games. The Golden Knights will turn to Alex Pietrangelo, already averaging 23:55 time-on-ice, to see an increased role in his absence, especially on the powerplay.

Talbot will likely start for the Kings on Wednesday and should be well rested, having only played once in the last 10 days, a 29-save performance (.935 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Talbot was a workhorse to start the season but could be used more conservatively moving forward as backup goalie Phoenix Copley has had consecutive strong performances, indicating he has refound his game after a poor start. In 14 games this season (10-3-1), Talbot has been among the league's best goaltenders, posting a tremendous 2.02 GAA and .931 SV%. The Kings are sizeable -203 home favourites against a Washington Capitals team that ranks 31st in the league offensively (2.33 GF / GP) and has been outscored 7-1 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Joseph has not played since November 4th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be on the verge of a return to the lineup after being a full participant at the Penguins' practice on Wednesday. Before his injury, Joseph had one point (0G / 1A) in five games, averaging 13:05 time-on-ice, playing predominantly with Chad Ruhwedel on the Penguins' third defensive pairing.

Kulich made his NHL debut on Saturday, playing 14:53 time-on-ice, recording zero points, one shot on goal, and a -1 plus/minus. He has been reassigned to the Rochester Americans of the AHL as the Sabres have recalled Brandon Biro.

Markstrom was a full participant at practice and will likely be available to return to the crease for the Flames on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom was the starting goalie for the Flames one week ago against the Stars, saving 24 of 28 shots (.857 SV%), in a 7-4 victory.

Hirose last played on November 18th but has since served as a healthy scratch, prompting his reassignment to the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL. In a corresponding move, the Canucks have recalled veteran defenceman Matt Irwin, who has yet to play at the NHL level this season but has eight points (0G / 8A) in 12 games with Abbotsford.

Karlsson made his NHL debut with the Canucks on November 16 and could be an option to draw back into their lineup after being recalled from Abbotsford (AHL) on Wednesday. In 17 games with Abbotsford, Karlsson has 15 points (3G / 12A) and a +5 plus/minus rating.

Irwin was an NHL regular with the Washington Capital last season, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 61 games but has exclusively played in the AHL this season with the Abbotsford Canucks, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in 13 games. Irwin was recalled along with Linus Karlsson and could serve as a replacement for Akito Hirose, who was reassigned to Abbotsford in a corresponding move.

Oesterle played four games with the Flames earlier this season, going without a point, but has spent most of his time in the AHL with the Calgary Wrangler where he has eight points (0G / 8A) in 12 games. During his brief stint with the Flames, he played almost exclusively with either Dennis Gilbert or Nikita Zadorov.