NHL Hockey Player News

The Rangers have won two straight and will roll with Shesterkin between the pipes on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Shesterkin wasn't heavily tested in his most recent outing but saved 15 of 17 shots (.882 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Before that outing, the 29-year-old netminder was going through a troubling stretch where he allowed four or more goals in three straight (0-3-0), posting an ugly .806 SV%. The Rangers enter Friday's contest as -187 home favorites against a Penguins squad that will be without Sidney Crosby (upper body).

Thompson exited Sunday's 4-3 win over New Jersey Devils in the third period after being on the receiving end of an unsuspecting hit from Stefan Noesen. He did not play in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets but could be an option when the Sabres return to action on Saturday against the Nashville Predators. The 27-year-old Thompson has been tremendous offensively lately, scoring 14 points (7G / 7A) in his last nine games.

Crosby exited Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils for eight minutes due to an undisclosed injury but returned to the contest, ending the game with one assist in 22:14 time-on-ice. The 37-year-old Crosby downplayed the severity of the injury following the game but has not fully participated in practice since and will not play on Friday against the New York Rangers. Penguins' head coach Mike Sullivan said they are taking his injury "day by day," obviously posing a concern for his availability in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

The Penguins will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes for a fifth consecutive game on Friday when they visit the New York Rangers. The 29-year-old Nedeljkovic has been excellent lately, allowing two or fewer goals in six of his last seven outings (4-2-1), posting a stellar .936 SV%. The Penguins, already without Evgeni Malkin (lower body), will be without Sidney Crosby (upper body) and enter the action on Friday as +167 road underdogs against a Rangers squad that defeated them 4-2 on December 6th.

The Rangers have won two straight and will likely roll with Shesterkin between the pipes on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Shesterkin wasn't heavily tested in his most recent outing but saved 15 of 17 shots (.882 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Before that outing, the 29-year-old netminder was going through a troubling stretch where he allowed four or more goals in three straight (0-3-0), posting an ugly .806 SV%. The Rangers enter Friday's contest as -187 home favorites against a Penguins squad without Sidney Crosby (upper body).

MacEachern is yet to appear in an NHL game this season after playing eight games with the Blues last season. He has six goals and nine assists in 17 AHL games this season.

Sheary was recalled on Thursday and played 11:18 time-on-ice in a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, his first NHL action in several months. He was sent down to Syracuse (AHL) earlier this season, scoring 24 points (9G / 15A) in 31 games, his first stint in the AHL since breaking into the league in the 2015-16 season. The 32-year-old Sheary has 267 points (124G / 143A) in 593 career NHL games.

Bemstrom has 228 games of NHL experience, including scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 24 games with Pittsburgh last season, but has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 25-year-old forward has an impressive 41 points (19G / 22A) in 37 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).

The Jets have won seven straight, including a 3-0 win with Eric Comrie between the pipe on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Still, the club will return to their Vezina-winning netminder on Friday against the New York Islanders. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck is having another outstanding season, boasting an immaculate 2.04 GAA and .925 SV% in 42 games this season (33-7-2). The Jets enter Friday's game as -190 home favorites against a hot Islanders club that has won eight of their last nine (8-1-0).

It's a tough break for Samoskevich who just returned to the lineup after missing the last three games with an illness. We should get an update on his status ahead of Florida's game against the Senators on Saturday.

Demko will make his 16th start of the season when the Canucks travel to San Jose to take on the Sharks on Thursday. Demko enjoyed his best start of the season in his last outing, stopping all 25 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory over the Avalanche. The shutout should be a big boost of confidence for Demko, who has struggled to regain his form this season since returning from injury. He's a great bet to stay in the win column on Thursday as the Canucks enter action at -190 on the money line.

Evans has not played the previous three games due to an upper-body injury and will once again be unavailable on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old Evans has 21 points (5G / 16A) in 50 games this season and is now considered day-to-day.

Seattle has lost two straight (0-1-1) and will roll with Daccord between the pipes on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Daccord saved 36 of 40 shots (.900 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-4 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old netminder has a 2.49 GAA and .915 SV% in 36 appearances this season (18-13-3). Seattle enters the action on Thursday as +141 home underdogs against a Toronto team on a two-game winning streak.

Middleton will take a seat on Thursday as Calvin de Haan draws into the lineup in his place. Middleton has zero goals and two assists in 26 games this season.

de Haan will slot in for Keaton Middleton on Thursday when the Avalanche travel to Calgary to take on the flames. de Haan has zero goals and eight assists in 38 games this season.

Colorado will roll with Blackwood between the pipes for a sixth straight game on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Blackwood played well in his most recent outing despite a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%). He has a 2.04 GAA and .926 SV% in 20 games with the Sharks this season (12-6-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as -155 road favorites against a Flames club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).

Joseph did not play on Tuesday due to an illness but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The 27-year-old Joseph is averaging 12:05 time-on-ice, recording five points (2G / 3A) and 67 hits in 35 games this season.

Morrow will be the odd-man out on the Hurricanes blue-line as they opt to return to dressing just six defencemen on Thursday. Juha Jaaska (illness) returns to lineup in his place.

Jaaska will draw back into the lineup in place of defenceman Scott Morrow as the Hurricanes opt to dress 12 forwards on Thursday. Jaaska has zero goals and three assists in 15 games this season.

The move was expected as Anthony Stolarz was already confirmed to be returning from a knee injury on Thursday. Murray has started two games for the Maple Leafs this season, posting a 1-1-0 record and an .879 SV%. He has been spectacular at the AHL level this season, posting a 1.68 GAA and .934 SV% in 15 games (8-4-2)