NHL Hockey Player News

Seattle was shut out 3-0 last night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, ending their franchise-best nine-game winning streak. On the back end of a back-to-back, Seattle will turn to Driedger between the pipes for his second start this season. Driedger was terrific in a December 27th, 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames, saving 37 of 38 shots (.974 SV%) in his first NHL game in nearly two years. On Tuesday, Seattle is a sizeable +187 road underdog against a rested New York Rangers team that has struggled lately, losing four of their last five (1-3-1).

Annunen will make his first start of the season on Tuesday as the Avalanche prepare to play their second game in as many nights. Annunen has struggled in his four NHL appearances to date, though he has managed to post a 2-1-1 record despite an .859 SV% and a 3.92 GAA. He owns a 9-5-4 record and a .908 SV% in 18 games this season with the Colorado Eagles (AHL). He'll take on the Senators and Mads Sogaard, who is also making his season debut in goal on Tuesday.

Eichel did not play the Golden Knights' last game due to a lower-body injury and, after being placed on injured reserve, underwent surgery that will keep him sidelined week-to-week. Before his injury, Eichel had four points (3G / 1A) and 13 shots in his last three games. Chandler Stephenson will likely be elevated to the top line and see increased offensive deployment during Eichel's absence.

After starting seven straight games, Jones had the night off on Sunday in a 4-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings but will return to the crease in Edmonton on Monday. After allowing one or fewer goals in four straight games (4-0-0), posting a sensational .972 SV%, Jones has dropped two straight (0-1-1), allowing four goals in each while showcasing a subpar .872 SV%. The Maple Leafs are +136 road underdogs against a red-hot Oilers club riding a 10-game winning streak.

Timmins will exit the lineup on Tuesday, allowing Mark Giordano to return from being a healthy scratch in the Maple Leafs' previous contest. Timmins played 13:31 time-on-ice and recorded two shots and two hits in his first game in three weeks.

Conor Timmins is expected to be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Giordano to make his return to the Maple Leafs lineup after being a healthy scratch on Sunday. Giordano has one point (0G / 1A) in eight games since returning from a broken finger last month.

Lizotte exited yesterday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period with a lower-body injury after playing only 2:49 time-on-ice. The 26-year-old Lizotte has been held without a point in 11 straight games.

The Kings snapped a season-worst eight-game losing streak yesterday courtesy of a strong performance from David Rittich in a 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes and will return to starting goalie Cam Talbot on the back end of a back-to-back. Talbot has allowed three or more goals in five of his last seven games (0-4-3), posting a pedestrian .899 SV%. The Kings are +117 road underdogs on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, who have won three of their last four contests (3-1-0).

Larsson was forced to leave Monday's game with an illness and did not return. Without a morning skate, there's no indication whether or not Larsson will be available for Tuesday's game, so consider him a game-time decision.

Heiskanen will miss his sixth-straight game on Tuesday when the Stars host the Los Angeles Kings but could return in the coming days as he will travel with the team on their upcoming four-game road trip. After a slow start to the season with only seven points in his first 13 games (1G / 6A), Heiskanen was starting to come into his own, scoring 20 points (3G / 17A) in his last 24 games. Expect Thomas Harley to continue his increased deployment and usage on the top powerplay while Heiskanen is out of the lineup.

Hellebuyck was between the pipes in the Jets last game, a 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, ending their season-best eight-game winning streak. Despite the loss, Hellebucyk, as per usual, was terrific, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%), continuing his tremendous season, and extending his 19-game stretch (14-3-2) where he has allowed fewer than three goals in all but one contest. The Jets will welcome back Kyle Connor on Tuesday and are -193 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that was defeated 5-0 by the Minnesota Wild last night.

The Flames have recalled Dustin Wolf as Jacob Markstrom is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but they will turn to Vladar on Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes. The Flames are -148 home favourites against a Coyotes club they defeated 6-2 less than a week away with Markstrom between the pipes. Vladar will make his first start since January 7th, a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks when he allowed four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%).

Scheifele's injury does not appear overly concerning, but he has been placed on the injured reserve and will be out of the lineup until at least Sunday. Before his injury, Scheifele had five points (2G / 3A) while riding a four-game point streak. The Jets' depleted offence will get a boost on Tuesday as they welcome Kyle Connor Back from a five-week absence due to a knee injury.

Vilardi is battling an illness, but the Jets anticipate he will be ready to play on Tuesday evening against the New York Islanders. Vilardi has three points (1G / 2A) in his last four games along with 13 shots on goal.