NHL Hockey Player News

Skjei missed the Hurricanes' previous contest due to personal reasons and will play Friday vs. the Flyers. The 28-year-old has been having an incredibly solid season, with six goals, eight assists, a +11 plus/minus and 71 SOG through 32 games prior to taking a step away from the team.

Aho has missed the Hurricane's last seven games due to a lower-body injury but play Friday after being a game-time decision as they take on the Flyers. If Aho does return, it will be massive for Carolina, as he had 11 goals, 27 points, 7 SOG, 18 PIMS and a +2 plus/minus through 26 games prior to the injury.

Blackwood stopped 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in his first start in two months as he beat the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old will get a second straight Devil's start and will be looking to improve on his 5-2-0 record, 2.69 GAA and .892 SV%. He will face the Boston Bruins, who have won their last three games and have the league's best record.

Wotherspoon has been recalled to the Islanders for the first time in his career after scoring a goal, 11 assists, 27 PIMs and a +12 plus/minus through 27 games with Bridgeport (AHL). It will be the 25-year-olds NHL debut.

Raty has five goals, seven assists, 10 PIMs and was a +4 plus/minus through 23 games with Bridgeport (AHL) and will be called up for the first time in his NHL career to the Islanders. The 2021 2nd-round pick (52nd overall) will be looking to make his NHL debut if he finds his way into New York's lineup.

Smith has a goal, three assists, 24 SOG, six PIMs across 19 games but will head to the press box as a healthy scratch Friday vs. New Jersey.

Greer has three goals, four assists, 21 SOG and 35 PIMs and will draw back into the Bruins' lineup for the first time since Dec. 15th.

Cizikas has two goals, five assists, 37 SOG and 40 PIMs through 34 games but will miss Friday's game vs. Florida as he is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Ersson will make his NHL debut Friday after going 9-8-1 with a 2.72 GAA and a .910 SV% with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL). He draws the tough first task of the Carolina Hurricanes, who are in the middle of a seven-game winning streak.

Lindgren allowed three goals on 19 shots (.842 SV%) and picked up his seventh victory in eight starts as he beat Detroit in his last start. The 29-year-old is one of the hottest goalies as of late, with his 9-4-2 record, 2.71 GAA and .910 SV%. He will face the Winnipeg Jets, who lost their last game 3-2 to Boston but rank ninth in the NHL in goals per game (3.38).

Eyssimont has a goal, four assists, 23 SOG and is a +7 plus/minus through 16 games played and will find himself back in the Jets' lineup after it was announced Cole Perfetti would miss Friday's game (undisclosed).

Raanta will start for the second time in as many days, after stopping 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) for his second straight win as he defeated Pittsburgh Thursday. The Hurricanes' backup has been anything but solid so far this season, with his .891 SV%, 2.77 GAA and 6-2-2 record. He takes on the Philadelphia Flyers, who are 30th in the NHL in goals per game (2.48).

Perfetti has six goals, 14 assists, 62 SOG, 16 PIMs and is a +5 plus/minus and will miss Friday's game due to an undisclosed injury. He is considered day-to-day and the Jets will be hoping to have him back for after the holiday break.

Rittich stopped 35 of 36 shots (.972 SV%) for his third win in five starts as he beat Ottawa his last time out. The 30-year-old backup netminder has been solid this season, with his 5-3-0 record, 2.55 GAA and .909 SV%. He draws the Washington Capitals, who are in the middle of a three-game win streak after a 3-2 overtime win over Ottawa in their previous game.

Shaw has four goals, seven assists, 46 SOG and 49 PIMs in 28 games played this season but will now be forced to miss two games as he serves a suspension for kneeing San Jose's Evgeny Svechnikov.