NHL Hockey Player News

Pacioretty has been a full participant at practice the last two weeks and will make his season debut this week as he nears his return from his second Achilles surgery in less than a year, but will not play on Friday against the New York Islanders. Over the last three seasons, Pacioretty has struggled vehemently with injuries, playing only 92 total games. After recovering from his first Achilles surgery, he was only able to play five games last season before re-injuring his Achilles and forcing an abrupt end to his season. If Pacioretty can stay healthy, he could be a big boost for a Capitals team that ranks second-worst in the league offensively (2.34 GF / GP) and has the league's third-worst powerplay (12.1%).

Lundkvist will play for only the second time in the last eight games for the Stars as he will re-enter the lineup in favour of Joel Hanley. Lundkvist, who was acquired by the Stars last offseason for a first-round pick, has failed to impress the Stars' coaching staff and establish himself as a permanent fixture in their lineup. He has seven points (0G / 7A), averaging 14:37 time-on-ice in 24 games this season.

Quick will start for only the second time in the last six games for the Rangers when they visit the Florida Panthers on Friday. Quick has been solid and reliable all season but is coming off a tough performance in which he allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on December 22nd. That said, the Rangers, winners of two straight, are +121 road underdogs against a Panthers team that has also won two in a row.

Merzlikins will return to the crease for the Blue Jackets on Friday after a disappointing loss in his last outing. Against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, Merzlikins allowed two goals in the final five minutes of regulation in an eventual 4-3 overtime loss. The Latvian netminder is winless in his last two games (0-0-2), allowing seven total goals and posting a .896 SV%. Merzlikins was between the pipes just over two weeks ago in a 6-5 overtime victory over the Maple Leafs when he allowed five goals on 48 shots (.896 SV%), but the Blue Jackets are still sizeable +181 home underdogs against them on Friday.

Olivier will be a healthy scratch on Friday, potentially making room for Jack Roslovic (ankle) to return to the lineup after a 21-game absence. In 19 games this season, the 26-year-old Olivier has five points (1G / 4A), averaging 10:02 time-on-ice.

Roslovic has not played since November 12th, a 21-game absence, due to a fractured ankle and is expected to make his return to the lineup on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs despite not participating in line rushes at practice on Thursday. Before his injury, Roslovic played predominantly on a line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, scoring eight points (2G / 6A) in 14 games.

Olofsson has played 22 consecutive games for the Sabres but is expected to be a healthy scratch on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Olofsson is averaging 11:58 time-on-ice this season but has seen that total dip as low as 6:43 during a nine-game stretch where he has only recorded a single point (0G / 1A).

Rust has missed eight straight games for the Penguins after suffering an upper-body injury on December 6th. Rust's return to the ice is an encouraging sign for the Penguins, with his return to the lineup appearing to be on the horizon. Before his injury, Rust was having a terrific season, scoring 20 points (10G / 10A) in 22 games.

Lindgren did not play in the last game for the Capitals but will likely return to the crease after Darcy Kuemper allowed five goals in a 5-1 loss against the New York Rangers on Wednesday. Lindgren only has two wins in his last five games (2-1-2) but has allowed three or fewer goals in each contest, posting a dazzling .937 SV%. The Capitals are +133 road underdogs against the New York Islanders on Friday, despite defeating them 3-2 less than two weeks ago.

Gauthier has missed two of the last three games but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old is off to the most productive start of his five-year career, with two goals, five points, 19 SOG and. four PIMs in 15 games.

Thompson was a late scratch for Wednesday's game, with the team only announcing his absence just over 30 minutes before the puck drop, but he will return to the lineup on Friday after being activated from the non-roster list. Thompson has nine goals and ten assists in 26 games this season. Tyson Jost drew into the Sabres' lineup and centred the first line in Thompson's absence.

Bobrovsky will start for the fourth straight game and look for his third consecutive win when he tends the twine on Friday night against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has been tremendous in his last two outings, posting impressive victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, saving a combined 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%). Bobrovsky and the Panthers are -133 home favourites in their first matchup of the season against the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games (5-1-0).

Varlamov entered Wednesday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the third period, allowing one goal on seven shots (.857 SV%). However, he was absent from practice on Thursday, dealing with an undisclosed injury, and is considered day-to-day, expected to miss Friday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders recalled Ken Appleby from Bridgeport (AHL), who will likely serve as the backup to Sorokin if Varlamov is unable to suit up on Friday.

With Semyon Varlamov battling an undisclosed injury, Lane Lambert and the Islanders coaching staff have an easy decision turning back to Sorokin between the pipes, despite his porous performance in their previous outings. On Wednesday, Sorokin allowed six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in an eventual 7-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders, -147 home favourites, are 1-1-1 against the Capitals this season, but Friday will mark Sorokin's first appearance against them this season.

Korpisalo was terrific in his first game back from the Christmas break and will likely return to the crease on Friday. The 29-year-old Korpisalo saved 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, his first win under the new Jacques Martin era in Ottawa. The Senators, winners of two straight, are slight +101 home underdogs in their first matchup of the season against the New Jersey Devils, who have points in three of their last four (2-1-1).

Bobrovsky will start for the fourth straight game and look for his third consecutive win when he tends the twine on Friday night against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has been tremendous in his last two outings, posting impressive victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, saving a combined 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%). Bobrovsky and the Panthers are -133 home favourites in their first matchup of the season against the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games (5-1-0).

Carpenter has not played since December 3rd, a 10-game absence, and was a game-time decision for the Sharks on Thursday after being activated from the injured reserve. The 32-year-old centre is on pace to play the most amount of games he has in three seasons and has a goal, four assists, 21 SOG, and two PIMs in 18 games played this season.