NHL Hockey Player News

Several minor injuries tied in with the strong play of Charlie Lindgren have limited Kuemper to only one start since November 2nd, but he will likely return to the create on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kuemper has struggled this season, posting an uncharacteristic 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% through eight games (3-3-2), and has historically been poor against the Sabres with a 3.69 GAA and .878 SV% in seven career meetings (3-2-1). That said, the Capitals have won four straight and are -120 home favourites against a Sabres team that will again be without Tage Thompson (upper-body).

Despite being outperformed by teammate Connor Ingram, the Coyotes will stick to their equal goaltending split as Vejmelka re-enters the crease on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues. Vejmelka owns only two of the Coyotes' eight wins this season and has not recorded a victory since October 21st. Since then, Vejmelka has allowed 26 goals in seven appearances (0-5-2), posting an ugly .876 SV%. The Coyotes will hope Vejmelka can get back into the win column as they face off against the Blues, who are scoring at the seventh-lowest rate this season (2.71 GF / GP).

Sorokin saved 35 of 39 shots (.897 SV%) on Saturday, helping the Islanders snap a season-worst seven-game losing skid, and will likely start again on Wednesday. Last year's Vezina-runner-up has performed well below his expectations thus far, posting a 3.32 GAA and .906 SV% through 11 games (4-3-4). The Islanders will hope his most recent win sparks a string of good play for a team that has otherwise been reeling in the wrong direction and, as -147 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers, look poised to do so on Wednesday night.

Girard did not play on Monday due to personal reasons and will be away from the team again on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Girard has played 15 games this season, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) in his first 13 before tripling that with three points (2G / 1A) in his last two. Josh Manson entered the lineup on Monday to replace Girard.

Kuznetsov did not play on Saturday due to an illness and, after participating in the Capitals' morning skate on Wednesday, is still expected to be out of to the lineup against the Buffalo Sabres. After a poor start to the season, tallying a single point (0G / 1A) in his first five games, Kuznetsov has turned things around with seven points (3G / 4A) in his last nine while seeing over two extra minutes of time-on-ice. He is expected back for the Capitals' next matchup.

Raanta has won four of his last five starts (4-1-0), most recently a 26-save performance (.929 SV%) in a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and will likely start for the second consecutive game when the Hurricanes host the Edmonton Oilers. Raanta has seen a slight edge in playing time over Pyotr Kochetkov since Frederik Andersen was placed on injured reserve, a trend that will likely continue if the veteran goaltender continues to collect victories. The Hurricanes are -140 home favourites against an Oilers team that has lost two straight (0-2-0) but has scored three or more goals in five consecutive outings (3-2-0).

Barkov did not practice on Wednesday, indicating he will likely miss his second consecutive game due to a knee injury. Barkov has been terrific this season, tallying 17 points (6G / 11A) in 16 games playing predominantly alongside Sam Reinhart on the Panthers' top line. Anton Lundell will move up to the top line, centring Eetu Luostarinen and the previously mentioned Reinhart.

Sorokin saved 35 of 39 shots (.897 SV%) on Saturday, helping the Islanders snap a season-worst seven-game losing skid, and will likely start again on Wednesday. Last year's Vezina-runner-up has performed well below his expectations thus far, posting a 3.32 GAA and .906 SV% through 11 games (4-3-4). The Islanders will hope his most recent win sparks a string of good play for a team that has otherwise been reeling in the wrong direction and, as -147 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers, look poised to do so on Wednesday night.

Lucic was arrested Saturday morning in Boston and will be entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program while away from the team. Lucic signed a one-year, $1 million contract to return to the Bruins in the offseason and has two assists in four games so far in 2023-24. Lucic has missed nine games this season due to an ankle injury and has an indefinite return date from that injury alongside the recent news.

With Philipp Grubauer (undisclosed) out day-to-day, Chris Driedger has been recalled from Coachella Valley (AHL) for the first time since 2021-22. The 29-year-old has enjoyed a successful start to the season in the AHL, with his 6-4-0 record, 2.61 GAA and .908 SV%. He returns to the NHL, where he has a 30-23-5 record with his .917 SV% and 2.45 GAA.

Robinson has a goal, three assists, and a +3 plus/minus in nine games with Cleveland (AHL) but has been recalled to Columbus Tuesday. The 28-year-old left-winger will head to the Blue Jackets for a second time this season and has only appeared in one game so far without a point after appearing in 139 games across the last two seasons. In 2022-23, he had 12 goals and 24 points in 72 games with Columbus.

Norlinder has a goal, an assist, eight PIMs, and a -15 plus/minus in 14 games with Laval (AHL) and has been recalled Tuesday. He will be expected to replace Jordan Harris (injured reserve) and build off his previous six-game showing in the NHL from 2021-22 where he had an assist and two PIMs. The 23-year-old was Montreal's 2019 third-round draft pick (64th overall).

Harkins has four goals, five assists, 10 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 11 games played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and has been recalled for a second time this season Tuesday. The 26-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Penguins earlier this season and appeared in four games but failed to pick up any points.

Nylander had five goals, eight points, and two PIMs in 11 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and has been recalled to Pittsburgh Tuesday. The 25-year-old left-winger returns to the NHL where he has 14 goals and 34 points in 93 career games across five seasons. He had a goal and two assists in nine games played in his inaugural Pittsburgh season in 2022-23.

Samorukov had been playing with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and had a goal, four assists, four PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through 15 games and has signed a one-year, $775,000 contract Tuesday. The 24-year-old defenseman has appeared in three NHL games in the last two seasons and has failed to pick up a point.

Glass picked up his first assist, of the season and played 13:07 TOI Monday vs. Colorado but was announced week-to-week with a lower-body injury and has been placed on the injured reserve. The 24-year-old has struggled mightily out of the gate in 2023-24, with one assist, 17 SOG, two PIMs, and a -2 plus/minus in nine games after putting up 14 goals and 35 points in 2022-23.