NHL Hockey Player News

Thornton left Wednesday's game following a collision in the third period and appeared to be in obvious discomfort. He underwent further evaluation on Thursday and the Maple Leafs announced he's dealing with a fractured rib on Friday morning. In addition to Thornton, Auston Matthews is also dealing with an upper-body injury, so both Adam Brooks and Pierre Engvall will enter the Maple Leafs lineup vs. Edmonton.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe is "not too concerned" with Matthews' upper-body injury. He told reporters Matthews was a possibility to play tonight but just wasn't feeling completely right, so they'll be cautious early in the season. With Matthews and Joe Thornton both out, the Maple Leafs will be without ⅔ of their top-line vs. the Oilers. Adam Brooks is expected to draw in to replace Matthews in some capacity.

The entire first week of the Stars' season was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak and it doesn't look like they will have Comeau for their season opener on Friday. Comeau is not an offensive force but he is a key part of the Stars' shutdown line with Andrew Cogliano and Radek Faksa. Ty Dellandrea is expected to make his NHL debut in his place.

The Stars are finally ready to make their season debuts on Friday but they may do so without Klingberg. The All-Star defenseman was missing from practice on Thursday for what head coach Rick Bowness simply called "medical reasons." If Klingberg isn't available, Thomas Harley should suit up in his place and Miro Heiskanen would be on the top power-play unit.

Hamonic was hurt in the third period of Wednesday's game and was placed on IR prior to Thursday's game vs. the Canadiens. With Hamonic out, Brogan Rafferty was added to the 23-man roster and either he or Jordie Benn will draw into the lineup on Thursday.

Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Lightning's win over the Blackhawks last Friday. Vasilevskiy won his first two games of the season while stopping 57 of the 60 shots (.950 SV%). Those two games came against a terrible Blackhawks team, so tonight's matchup with the Blue Jackets should be a much stiffer test.

Hellebuyck stopped 35 of 37 shots in the Jets loss in Toronto on Monday. Hellebuyck stood tall but the offence fell flat, leading to his first loss of the 2021 campaign. Hellebuyck has been strong early on, stopping 58 of the 63 shots (.921 SV%) that he's faced and is a must-start with a great matchup tonight in Ottawa.

Murray gave up four goals on 28 shots in the Senators' loss to the Jets on Tuesday. Murray has struggled in his first three games of the season, giving up a combined 10 goals on 91 shots (.890 SV%). Things won't get any easier on Thursday with a high-powered Jets team in town.

Murray gave up four goals on 28 shots in the Senators' loss to the Jets on Tuesday. Murray has struggled in his first three games of the season, giving up a combined 10 goals on 91 shots (.890 SV%). Things won't get any easier on Thursday with a high-powered Jets team in town.