NHL Hockey Player News

Andersson was a healthy scratch vs. the Red Wings last night but will play Thursday in Carolina. Andersson has been limited to a fourth-line role this season and he has turned it into just one assist and seven shots on goal in 12 games.

Lundqvist stopped 35 of 36 shots in the Rangers win over the Red Wings last night. It was his first start since October 27th, so he should be better equipped to start on back-to-back nights than most netminders. Still, a road matchup vs. the Hurricanes is as bad as it gets right now, so you can leave Lundqvist on your bench tonight.

Mrazek allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Hurricanes loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Mrazek, who will make his 11th appearance of the season on Thursday. He catches a fantastic matchup with the Rangers coming in on the tail-end of a back-to-back. Additionally, Mrazek is undefeated on home-ice (6-0-0), posting a 1.97 GAA, .925 SV% and one shutout.

Gambrell missed the last three games with a hand injury but was on the ice for today's morning skate and will be a game-time decision vs. the Wild. Gambrell has one goal and three assists in 12 games this season.

Rask allowed five goals on 31 shots in the Bruins loss in Montreal on Tuesday. If there is a team you'd expect him to struggle against, it's Montreal, but a matchup vs. the Red Wings is one you'd expect him to thrive in. He is 2-1-0 with a .904 SV% on the road this season but the Red Wings are the worst team in hockey right now (4-12-1) and rank last in goal-scoring (2.06 GF/gm).

Varlamov stopped all 27 shots that he faced in the Islanders shutout win in Buffalo last Saturday. Varlamov has won five in a row while posting a 1.58 GAA, .947 SV% and one shutout. On Thursday, he will face a Penguins team that is 3-3-0 despite averaging 4.17 goals per game on the road this season.

Blackwood stopped 32 of the 33 shots that he faced in the Devils win in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Blackwood will be making his fourth straight start tonight after going 2-0-1 with a .923 SV% in the previous three. A road meeting with the Flames is a tough assignment though, especially for a goalie with a .885 road SV% so far this season.

Rinne stopped 23 of the 24 shots that he faced in an easy win over the Red Wings on Monday. It was a nice bounce-back game from the veteran netminder, who allowed six goals on 27 shots in his previous outing. He is 2-0-0 while stopping 56 of 59 (.949 SV%) in his only two road starts of the season and faces an Avalanche team without two of their top forwards and No.1 netminder.

Stalock allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Wild's win in Anaheim on Tuesday. Stalock has outplayed Devan Dubnyk early-on but he's been pretty average, going 3-3-0 with a 2.42 GAA and .917 SV%. Even though the Sharks haven't played their best though 16 games, it's still not a great spot for Stalock.

Demers will not be in the lineup on Thursday night, so look for Ilya Lyubushkin to suit up. Monitor Demers' status leading up to Saturday's game vs. the Wild.

Klingberg's MRI revealed positive results and the star defenseman could end up missing just a couple of weeks. Klingberg likely won't be out more than a month and his injury opens the door for Miro Heiskanen to play massive minutes at even-strength and on the power-play.

Jones allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Sharks win over the Blackhawks on Tuesday. It was Jones' first win since October 16th and moved him to 3-3-0 with a 2.86 GAA and .905 SV% on home-ice this year. He has a chance to win two in a row with the Wild in town. Minnesota gives up the eighth most goals (3.40 GA/gm) and averages the fifth-fewest goals for (2.47) in the NHL.

Grubauer is dealing with a nagging lower-body issue that will cost him a few games but nothing long-term. Pavel Francouz will start for him on Thursday and Adam Werner was called-up to serve as his backup while Grubauer is sidelined.

Hintz missed Tuesday's game with a lower-body injury and was originally considered day-to-day but head coach Jim Montgomery announced that their No.2 centre will miss two weeks. Jason Dickinson skated as the Stars No.2 centre last night, so look for that to continue while Hintz is out. Joe Pavelski could always shift back to centre as well.

Kubalik has recorded three goals and three assists in 14 games this season but will come out of the lineup on Thursday. Kubalik will be replaced by Zack Smith.

Smith was a healthy scratch for the last two games but will suit up in his eighth game on Thursday. Smith, who will replace Dominik Kubalik, has no points in seven games.

Francouz allowed three goals on 28 shots in Colorado's loss in Arizona last Saturday. With Philipp Grubauer sidelined, Francouz should get a couple of starts this week, which makes him a worthwhile pickup for owners desperate for goalie starts. He has a .919 SV% in four appearances but the Predators come to town leading the NHL in goal-scoring (4.00 GF/gm).

Holden has played in all 16 games this season but is expected to be replaced by Deryk England on Thursday. Holden has two goals and two assists in 16 games this season.