NHL Hockey Player News

With Eric Comrie and Devon Levi both still unavailable due to lower-body injuries, the Sabres will turn to Luukkonen on Sunday. Luukkonen stopped 18 of the 21 shots he faced in relief of Comrie in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Devils. The 24-year-old netminder will need to string together some stronger performances if he wants to continue challenging for starts following the returns of Levi and Comrie. Luukkonen owns an .881 SV% and a 4.78 GAA through two appearances this season.

Kuemper is fresh off his finest start of the season after turning away 39 of the 41 shots he faced in Friday's 3-2 shootout victory over the Wild. The 33-year-old will be hoping it's a sign of things to come after enduring a rocky start to his 2023-24 season. Kuemper owns an .890 SV% and a 3.29 GAA to go along with a 2-2-1 record through his first five starts of the season. He's in a great spot to pick up another win on Sunday with the Capitals being -220 home favourites over the winless Sharks.

Hischier was hit in the head by Connor Clifton of the Buffalo Sabres on Friday before exiting the game with only 11:11 time-on-ice. Clifton was issued a match penalty on the play. Hischier, whose status beyond Sunday is still unknown, has been off to a slow start this season, tallying only two points (0G / 2A) through seven games.

McCartney was recalled from the Tuscon Roadrunners of the AHL where has been held pointless in five games this season. The 22-year-old, seventh-round pick from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has not played at the NHL level since the 2021-22 season.

With Devon Levi and Eric Comrie both injured, Devin Cooley has been recalled from the Rochester Americans of the AHL to back up Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In four games with Rochester (3-0-1), Cooley has a 3.46 GAA and .903 SV%.

Comrie had filled in as the starting goalie with Devon Levi already sidelined and recorded a 2.45 GAA and .914 SV% in three games (1-1-0) but will now be sidelined for at least a few weeks with a lower-body injury. With Levi still unavailable, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will likely take on the majority of goaltending duties for the Sabres. Devin Cooley will serve as the Sabres backup in the interim.

Maata will be scratched to make room for the return of Jeff Petry. In seven games this season, Maata has two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 15:31 time-on-ice, primarily on the third defensive pairing.

Varlamov allowed three goals on 42 shots in the Islanders' loss in Buffalo last Saturday. Ilya Sorokin started the last two games but Varlamov will start Saturday in Columbus. The Blue Jackets are in the middle of the pack in xGF/60 (3.17) through seven games this season.

Petry will return to the lineup for the Red Wings after missing the last three games. In four games this season, Petry has two points (0G / 2A), six penalty minutes, and seven hits. He will likely play with Ben Chiarot on the Red Wings' third defensive pair.

Ersson allowed five goals on 25 shots in the Flyers' loss in Dallas last Saturday. Carter Hart started the last two games, but Ersson will get another shot on Saturday afternoon. It will be his 14th career appearance, he's gone 6-3-1 with a 3.22 GAA, .892 SV% and one shutout in the first 13.

Dostal stopped 35 of 37 shots in the Ducks' win in Columbus on Tuesday. Dostal has been sensational to start the 2023-24 season, going 2-1-0 with a. 2.34 GAA and .929 SV%. The 23-year-old will look to keep things rolling on Saturday afternoon against a Flyers team that is 3-0-0 while outscoring their opponents 12-to-3.

Korpisalo allowed three goals on 38 shots in the Senators loss to the Islanders on Thursday. While it was an encouraging performance, Korpisalo still has just one win in four appearances this season. He draws a tough assignment on Saturday in Pittsburgh--the Penguins are top-10 in xGF/60 (3.38) this season.

Varlamov allowed three goals on 42 shots in the Islanders' loss in Buffalo last Saturday. Ilya Sorokin started the last two games but Varlamov will start Saturday in Columbus. The Blue Jackets are in the middle of the pack in xGF/60 (3.17) through seven games this season.

Brossoit allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Jets' loss to the Golden Knights on October 19th. It was a rough season debut for Brossoit, who will give Connor Hellebuyck a night off on Saturday. Montreal is 21st in xGF/60 (3.02) and the Jets are -147 favourites, making Brossoit a decent spot-start option.

Coghlan served as the Hurrincanes' extra defenseman during their back-to-back on Thursday and Friday. With the Hurricanes off until Monday, Coghlan goes back to Springfield, where he could play on Saturday and Sunday.

After playing the last two games, where he was held without a point, Lindstrom will be a healthy scratch for the Canadiens on Saturday. In four games with the Laval Rocket (AHL), Lindstrom was also held without a point while accumulating two penalty minutes and a -6 plus/minus rating.

Ylonen has played all seven games for the Canadiens this season but has been held pointless after scoring a goal in the team's season-opener on October 11th. He will be a healthy scratch on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets to make room for Joel Armia's season debut.

After clearing waivers, Armia started the season with the Laval Rocket of the AHL. In four games with the Rocket, Armia had five points (4G / 1A). He is expected to line up on the fourth line for the Canadiens with Jake Evans and Michael Pezzetta.

With Milan Lucic being placed on LTIR, Steen has been called up as a possible replacement to slot into the lineup. Steen was off to a hot start with the Providence Bruins of the AHL this season, registering five points (3G / 2A) in five games.