NHL Hockey Player News

Sorokin will return to the Islanders' crease after backup Semyon Varlamov got the nod for Friday's game in Ottawa. Sorokin is coming off one of his best starts of the season, denying 34 of the 36 shots he faced in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Flyers. The 28-year-old netminder owns a 5-3-4 record on the year to go along with his .909 SV% and 3.21 GAA.

Hischier has not played since exiting October 27th's game against the Sabres following an illegal check to the head by Connor Clifton. New Jersey's captain had endured a slow start prior to the injury, registering just two goals and zero assists in his opening seven games. He'll return to centre the Devils' second line tonight.

Vanecek allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Devils' loss in Detroit on Wednesday. Vanecek has struggled in his last five outings, going 1-3-0 with an .860 SV%. Tonight he'll face the Sabres, as -166 home favourites. Buffalo come in ranking 24th in the NHL in GF/60 (2.83).

Jokiharju has two goals, five assists, 18 SOG, two PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 18 games this season but will be a healthy scratch Saturday vs. New Jersey. Isak Rosen will make his debut in Jokiharju's place.

Comrie will take the crease for the first time in four games as he takes on New Jersey on the road Saturday. The 28-year-old has struggled as Buffalo's third goaltender this season, with his 1-2-0 record, 2.62 GAA, and .898 SV%. He will take on the New Jersey Devils, who are trying to right the ship after three straight loses and are 12th in the NHL in goals per game.

Brink has four goals, six assists, 25 SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 16 games this season but will be the odd man out of the Flyers' lineup Saturday vs. the New York Islanders. The 22-year-old right-winger will be replaced by Morgan Frost in the Flyers' lineup.

Ersson has backed up the Flyers' crease for the last two games but with Philadelphia on the second half of a back-to-back he will likely start Saturday. The 24-year-old has struggled to duplicate his success from last season with his 3-3-1 record, .863 SV% and 3.22 GAA. He takes on the surprisingly hot New York Islanders, who have won three-straight games but are 29th in the NHL in goals per game (2.68).

Jarry will retake the crease Saturday vs. Toronto after backing up two of the Penguins' previous three games. The 28-year-old netminder is leading the NHL in shutouts (3) but has a weak record (6-8-0) despite impressive counting stats with his 2.47 GAA and .916 SV%. He will take the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are on the back end of a back-to-back where they lost to Chicago 4-3 in overtime Friday.

Aho exited the Islanders' previous game Friday vs. Ottawa after just 1:28 TOI and will be out Saturday vs. Philadelphia with no timetable for his return. The 27-year-old Swedish defensemen has yet to score this season but has four assists, 18 SOG, six PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 19 games prior to his injury.

Chris Dreidger was reassigned to Coachella Valley (AHL) and Grubauer was a full participant in practice Saturday so the 32-year-old net minder is expected to be good to go fro Seattle's next game. He has struggled mightily for a third-straight season with his 5-6-0 record, 3.36 GAA and .885 SV%.

Driedger did not appear in any games for the Kraken as he backed up Joey Daccord during Philipp Grubauer's injury absence and will head back to Coachella Valley (AHL) Saturday. The 29-year-old returns to the Firebirds, where he has a 6-4-0 record, 2.20 GAA and .915 SV%.

Hutton has five assists, 14 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 16 games with Bridgeport (AHL) to start the season but has been recalled to the New York Islanders Saturday. The 28-year-old is expected to make his first NHL appearance since 2021-22 as he replaces Sebastian Aho (lower body) in the Islanders' lineup.

Martinez missed the Golden Knights' previous game due to a lower-body injury and will remain out Saturday vs. Arizona as he is day-to-day. The 36-year-old veteran defender has surprisingly found the back of the net more often than normal as he has three goals, one assist, 18 SOG, two PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 14 games prior to his injury.