NHL Hockey Player News

Andersen surrendered four goals on 36 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to the Avalanche on Monday. The Maple Leafs did not play well against Colorado and will need to be significantly better tonight if they want a chance vs. the Lightning. Andersen allowed four goals on 21 shots in a 4-1 loss in his first start in Tampa Bay.

Walker has been a scratch for the last three games but will replace Oscar Fantenberg in Dallas. Walker has collected just one goal and two assists in 17 games this season.

Fantenberg was not on the ice for the morning skate and will not play Thursday in Dallas. Sean Walker is expected to replace him and skate with Dion Phanuef. Fantenberg is day-to-day.

Gibson allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Ducks loss in Detroit on Tuesday. Gibson is now 0-6-4 with a 3.37 GAA and .895 SV% in his last 11 starts and will handle the task of trying to snap Anaheim’s 12-game losing streak tonight in Minnesota. Gibson allowed five gaols on 43 shots in a 5-1 loss in his first start vs. the Wild (Nov.9).

Byron’s suspension means that he will not play Friday in Columbus, Saturday vs. the Flyers or next Wednesday vs. the Coyotes. Charles Hudon and/or Matthew Peca will likely replace Byron on Friday.

Bishop has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury but “may be ready to go tomorrow” after practicing Thursday. Even if he plays, Bishop has just three points (1G / 2A) in 20 games while averaging just 9:27 TOI/gm, so he has no fantasy value.

Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Jets win over the Ducks on Sunday. Laurent Brossoit started vs. the Red Wings to get Hellebuyck a few extra days of rest before a big game in Nashville. The 25-year-old allowed three goals on 30 shots in a 3-0 loss in his first start vs. the Predators this season.

Campbell allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Kings 3-1 loss in San Jose on January 7th. Campbell has gone 0-2-0 despite stopping 72 of the 75 shots (.960 SV%) that he has faced since returning to the NHL on New Year’s Day. Tonight he take on the team that drafted him back in 2010--he comes in at 1-6-0 with a 2.34 GAA and .930 SV% on the road.

McElhinney was not on the ice for Thursday’s practice and likely won’t play on Friday. Look for Petr Mrazek to start and for someone to be recalled from Charlotte (AHL).

Sanford was forced to leave Tuesday’s game against the Islanders and will miss Thursday’s game because he’s in concussion protocol. The Blues will dress seven defensemen to replace Sanford.

Honka has been in the lineup for the last three games and will be replaced by Connor Carrick on Thursday.

Carrick has been scratched for the last three games but will replace Julius Honka on Thursday. Carrick enters play with four points (1G / 3A) in 11 games this season.

Ritchie has been a healthy scratch for the last four games but will replace Valeri Nichushkin (upper-body) on Thursday. Ritchie has just four points (2G / 2A) in 24 games this season.

Nichushkin will not play Thursday due to an “upper-body tweak” so Brett Ritchie will draw into the Stars lineup vs. the Kings. Nichushkin’s return to the NHL has not gone very well—he has no goals and seven assists in 37 games.

Santini has been a healthy scratch for the last three games but will replace a banged up Ben Lovejoy on Thursday. Santini has just one assist in 12 games this season.

Lovejoy is day-to-day with an upper-body injury so Steven Santini will draw back into the Devils lineup on Thursday.

Dickinson has missed the last 11 games due to a back issue but will draw into the lineup vs. the Kings. Dickinson, who replaces Erik Condra and will skate on the second line with Jason Spezza and Andrew Cogliano, has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 34 games this season.

Bishop surrenders three goals on 28 shots in the Stars loss to the Blues last Saturday. Bishop hasn’t been great in his last five outings, going 2-2-1 with a 3.03 GAA and .904 SV%. However, he draws a great matchup tonight vs. the Kings—he stopped 31 of 33 shots in a 4-2 win in his first start vs. Los Angeles (Oct.23).