NHL Hockey Player News

Varlamov will be the starting goalie on the front end of a back-to-back for the Islanders on Friday. Despite a 2-3-1 record, Varlamov has been terrific when called upon this season, posting a 2.18 GAA and .934 SV% along with two shutouts. The Islanders are +118 road underdogs against the Ottawa Senators but have momentum on their side as they look for their third consecutive victory after overcoming a season-worst seven-game losing skid (0-4-3).

Luukkonen has played well in his last three appearances (1-1-0), saving 74 of 79 shots (.937 SV%), and will be rewarded with a start on Friday. Luukkonen has easily been the most consistent of three Sabres' netminders this season, posting a 2.80 GAA and .911 SV% through nine contests (4-3-1). The Sabres are +111 home underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team without Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust and is coming off a 1-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday. In addition, Luukkonen played admirably against the Penguins on November 11th despite a 4-0 loss, saving 36 of 39 shots (.923 SV%).

Kolyachonok had two goals, an assist, six PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in 11 games with Tucson (AHL) and will make his season debut Saturday as he takes the spot of the struggling Matthew Dumba. The 22-year-old appeared in two games for the Coyotes in 2022-23 and failed to pick up a point.

Dumba signed a one-year, $3.9 million contract with Arizona in the offseason but has struggled out of the gate to produce with two goals, two assists, 25 SOG, 24 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus in 19 games and will be a healthy scratch Saturday. The 29-year-old will be replaced by Vladislav Kolyachonok, who is making his season debut.

Ingram allowed two goals on 20 shots after replacing Karel Vejmelka during Wednesday's loss to the Blues. Ingram has been solid this season, going 6-3-0 with a 2.94 GAA and .910 SV% in 10 appearances (nine starts) but draws an awful matchup in Vegas on Saturday. The Coyotes are +209 road underdogs and remain without Barrett Hayton and Juuso Valimaki.

Hellebuyck is coming off a stellar performance, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. After a shaky start to the season, in which Hellebuyck posted a .890 SV% in nine games (5-3-0), he has looked more like himself recently with a .918 SV% in his last five games (4-1-0). The Jets will have their hands full on Friday as +124 road underdogs against a Florida Panthers team that is second in the Atlantic division and is 7-2-0 in their last nine games.

Demko is the likely starter for the Canucks on Friday on the front end of a back-to-back. The Canucks have lost three of four (1-3-0), being outscored 15-10, after a stretch that saw them collect a point in 11 of 12 games (10-1-1). Demko has struggled lately, allowing 17 goals in his last five games (2-3-0), posting a .872 SV%, including a loss to the Seattle Kraken last week when he allowed four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%). That said, the Canucks are slight -107 road favourites against the Kraken, who have collected a point in five straight games (3-0-2).

Texier will miss a second straight game Friday vs. New Jersey as he deals with an a lingering illness. The 24-year-old French centre has enjoyed a bit of a breakout so far in 2023-24, with four goals, three assists, 29 SOG, four PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 19 games.

Labanc missed the Sharks' previous game due to an upper body injury and was a game-time decision Friday vs. Montreal but is on the ice for warm ups. The 27-year-old right-winger has had a horrendous 2023-24 season, with only two assists, 18 SOG, six PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 13 games played.

Rutta logged just 4:17 TOI in the Sharks' previous game Wednesday after leaving due to an undisclosed injury and is considered week-to-week along with being placed on the injured reserve Friday. The 33-year-old stay-at-home defender was acquired in a three-team trade in the offseason and has yet to score with one assist, 15 SOG, eight PIMs and a -11 plus/minus in 19 games prior to his injury.

Kuzmenko has seen extended time on the Canucks top powerplay unit this season while playing primarily alongside Elias Pettersson at even strength. In 19 games this season, Kuzmenko has 14 points (3G / 11A) while averaging 15:24 time-on-ice. However, in his most recent contest, Kuzmenko registered a -3 plus/minus, failing to score a point while playing only 14:33. His top-line role will likely be filled by Sam Lafferty, who is expected to slide up the lineup.

Tierney has been a scratch for the Devils' previous three games but will draw back into the lineup Friday as he takes the place of Max Willman on New Jersey's fourth line. The 29-year-old has yet to pick up a point or a shot on goal in eight games so far in 2023-24.