NHL Hockey Player News

Jim Montgomery and the Bruins coaching staff have favoured Swayman over Linus Ullmark in recent weeks and will continue that trend on Thursday as Swayman will start for the fifth time in the last seven games. Swayman has been the more consistent of the two goalies this season but has struggled lately, as has the entire team, failing to record a victory in three straight games (0-1-1), posting a subpar .882 SV% in the process. The Bruins will look for only their second win in six games (1-3-1) against a low-scoring San Jose Sharks team (1.64 GF / GP) that has played significantly better lately, winning three of their last six (3-2-1).

Merzlikins will likely start for the fourth time in the last five games for the Blue Jackets and look to build on his best stretch of play this season. After a six-game run of winless hockey for Merzlikins (0-4-1), posting a .891 SV%, he has won two of his last three (2-1-0), registering a tremendous .940 SV%, including a heroic 40-save performance in a 3-2 losing effort to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. The Blue Jackets are -125 home favourites on Wednesday against a Montreal Canadiens team that has lost five of their last seven (2-5-0), being outscored 27-17.

Shesterkin will return to the crease on Wednesday after allowing four goals on 38 shots (.895 SV%) in his last contest, a 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. During his Vezina-winning 2021-22 season, Shesterkin allowed four or more goals only seven times the entire season (53 games), a considerably stronger ratio than the four times he has allowed four or more in 12 games this season. That said, Shesterkin looks poised to rebound on Wednesday as the Rangers are -191 home favourites against a Detroit Red Wings team that will be without leading scorer Dylan Larkin.

Shesterkin will likely return to the crease on Wednesday after allowing four goals on 38 shots (.895 SV%) in his last contest, a 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. During his Vezina-winning 2021-22 season, Shesterkin allowed four or more goals only seven times the entire season (53 games), a considerably stronger ratio than the four times he has allowed four or more in 12 games this season. That said, Shesterkin looks poised to rebound on Wednesday as the Rangers are -191 home favourites against a Detroit Red Wings team that will be without leading scorer Dylan Larkin.

Biro played several games with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, where he has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 10 games, after returning from an injury that derailed a hot start to his NHL campaign. Before his injury, Biro played two games with the Sabres, scoring two goals while averaging 13:00 time-on-ice.

Nylander was held without a point in three games with Pittsburgh but was a healthy scratch on Tuesday when Bryan Rust returned to the lineup. Nylander will return to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), where he had eight points (5G / 3A) in 11 games this season.

Hamilton logged 13:25 TOI before departing Tuesday's come-from-behind win over the Islanders. Hamilton did not return for the third period and head coach Lindy Ruff's only update was that he "couldn't play." Hamilton is questionable for Thursday's game in Philadelphia.

Demko will return to the crease on Tuesday when the Canucks welcome the Anaheim Ducks to Vancouver. Demko has been slightly inconsistent over the past several weeks (4-3-0), following up each victory with a sub.-900 SV% loss. Demko, a California native, will look to record consecutive victories for the first time in three weeks as the Canucks are sizeable -265 home favourites against a Ducks team that has lost six straight (0-6-0) and been held to fewer than three goals in all but one of those contests.

Gibson will get the start on Tuesday after Lukas Dostal got the nod in Sunday's 8-2 defeat at the hands of the Oilers. Gibson is looking to snap a personal four-game losing streak, with his last victory coming on November 14th against the Predators. After a strong start to the season, Gibson's record has fallen to 4-8-0, but he still boasts a respectable .911 SV%. He draws another tough matchup on Tuesday with the Ducks being +200 underdogs in Vancouver.

The Coyotes had previously suggested that Dermott would be ready to return for Tuesday's game. Dermott, who has not played since November 7th, has played in 10 games this season, averaging 17:29 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A).

Thompson will return to the Golden Knights' crease on Tuesday after Adin Hill got the start in Calgary on Monday. Thompson last appeared in Saturday's game against the Coyotes, stopping 16 of the 17 shots he faced in the 2-0 defeat. The 26-year-old netminder has been stellar when called upon this season, owning a 5-3-1 record and a .922 SV%. He'll have his hands full tonight against Connor McDavid and the Oilers.

Hyman was a late scratch for Tuesday's game with Edmonton announcing his absence just 30 minutes before puck drop. It's a big loss for the Oilers, as Hyman has been particularly hot of late, racking up four goals and three assists in his last three games. His first chance to return to the lineup will be on Thursday in Winnipeg.