NHL Hockey Player News

The 42nd overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Drury has performed well in a limited role for the Hurricanes. He tallied eight goals and 19 assists in 74 games last season despite mostly being reduced to a fourth-line role, though his production has tailed off this year with just 12 points (3G/9A) in 39 games. He brings much-needed centre depth to the Avalanche but will inevitably tied to a former franchise icon for years to come.

Necas had an impeccable start to the season, scoring 14 goals with 30 assists (44 points) in his first 30 games. However, he's cooled off considerably in his last 19 games, scoring just twice with nine assists (11 points). Necas should see a significant uptick in minutes in Colorado, where he could land on a line with Nathan MacKinnon.

Hall goes from the basement dwelling Blackhawks to what's now become one of the most exciting teams in the NHL in the Hurricanes. It's a welcomed fresh start for Hall, who ultimately struggled to stay healthy and productive during his tenure in Chicago. The former Hart Trophy winner tallied 11 goals and 17 assists in 56 games across parts of two seasons with the Blackhawks.

Rantanen is in the final year of a six-year, $9.25M AAV deal and is seeking a massive new contract in the summer. Rantanen has tallied 25 goals and 39 assists (64 points) in 49 games this season, putting him on-pace for 42 goals and 65 assists (107 points). It would be the third consecutive 100-plus point season for the 28-year-old, who will likely slide onto the Hurricanes' top-line next to fellow countryman Sebastian Aho.

Maroon will fill in for Taylor Hall, who was a late scratch due to an undisclosed reason. Maroon has two goals and nine assists in 42 games this season.

Ehlers is battling an illness, and his status for Friday's game against the Utah Hockey Club is up in the air. The 28-year-old Ehlers is pacing for a career-best season, with 40 points (14G / 26A) through 40 games. His career high is 64 points (25G / 39A) in 82 games in the 2016-17 season.

The Jets are coming off an impressive 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche when Hellebuyck saved 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) and will return to him between the pipes on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. Hellebuyck allowed four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to Utah HC less than a week ago. That said, he remains the front-runner for the Vezina trophy, boasting a marvelous 2.02 GAA and .927 SV% in 38 games (29-7-2). Winnipeg enters Friday's contest as sizeable -210 home favorites against a Utah team outscoring their opposition 13-4 in their last three games (3-0-0).

Hall was a surprise scratch on Friday with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. It's unclear at this point if he is dealing with an undisclosed injury or if he's simply a healthy scratch.

Jones was a surprise scratch on Friday with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups.

Howden will return to the lineup on Friday after missing one game with an illness. Howden has 16 goals and six assists in 47 games this season. Alexander Holtz will sit in his place.

Holtz is the odd-man out on Friday as Brett Howden is set to return from an illness. Holtz has three goals and seven assists in 46 games this season.

Zamula was a surprise scratch on Friday with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Erik Johnson will draw into the lineup in his place.

Johnson will make his first appearance since November 20th filling in for the injured Egor Zamula (upper-body). Johnson has one goal and one assist in 15 games this season.

Hill will get the nod between the pipes for the tail-end of the Golden Knights back-to-back on Friday. Hill didn't enjoy his best performance his last time out, allowing four goals on 28 shots in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Blues. The 28-year-old netminder owns an 18-8-3 record and a .901 SV% on the season. Hill and the Golden Knights enter action in Dallas on Friday at +125 on the money line.

Despite essentially sharing the Islanders' net with Marcus Hogberg the last month, Ilya Sorokin will return to the crease in hopes of his fourth win in his previous five starts. The 29-year-old Russian netminder has struggled more often than not this season, as shown by his 14-14-4 record, 2.81 GAA and .902 SV%. He hosts the surging Philadelphia Flyers, who have won five of their last seven games.

Johansson will get the nod in the front-end of Tampa Bay's back-to-back when they travel to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks on Friday. Johansson struggled his last time out, allowing four goals on 27 shots in a 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs on Monday. The Lightning backup owns a 5-4-1 record and an .899 SV% on the season. He's got a great chance of getting back in the win column on Friday as the Lightning enter action at -225 on the money line.

Fedotov has only played once in the last two weeks but will return to the crease for the Flyers on the tail end of a back-to-back. The 28-year-old Fedotov saved 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in his most recent outing. He has a 3.29 GAA and .879 SV% in 13 appearances this season (4-5-3). The Flyers enter Friday's contest as +130 road underdogs against the New York Islanders.

McLeod has missed the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup on Saturday against his former team, the Edmonton Oilers. The 25-year-old McLeod is averaging 15:35 time-on-ice and has 24 points (10G / 14A) in 45 games this season.

Ekblad has not played since January 8th, missing seven straight games, but returned to practice on Friday. The 28-year-old Ekblad is averaging 23:32 time-on-ice, his highest total in four seasons, recording 20 points (2G / 18A), 55 blocks, and 59 hits in 41 games this season.

Zucker had a strong performance in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken, tallying two points (1G / 1A), but has missed the last two games due to an illness. The 33-year-old Zucker has only topped 48 points once in his career, a 67-point campaign (33G / 31A) in the 2017-18 season as a member of the Minnesota Wild, but is well on pace to do so this season. He has 35 points (16G / 19A) in 46 games.