NHL Hockey Player News

Pouliot has played in 13 straight games, picking up just two assists, but will be replaced by Michael Del Zotto in Montreal.

Del Zotto has been a healthy scratch for 13 consecutive games but will replace Derrick Pouliot on Thursday. Del Zotto has just four points (1G / 3A) in 22 games this year.

Sutter missed two months of action with a shoulder injury but will replace Josh Leivo (back spasms) in the lineup on Thursday. Sutter will likely return in a support role, serving as the team’s third-line centre behind Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat. Sutter had just three goals and one assist in 13 games earlier this year.

Leivo has been moved to IR due to back spasms that forced him to leave Wednesday’s game in Ottawa. Leivo has been ruled out of tonight’s game and Saturday’s game in Toronto, so moving him to IR was just a formality to active his replacement Brandon Sutter. Leivo is eligible to come off of IR for next Thursday’s game vs. the Coyotes.

Quick stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Kings win in Colorado on Monday. Quick was given Tuesday night off so it’s not surprising that the Kings will come back to him tonight vs. a red-hot Lightning team. Quick finished December at 6-5-1 with a 2.33 GAA, .922 SV% and one shutout but should be left on the bench vs. the highest scoring team in the NHL.

Elliott played just 8:45 TOI on Wednesday but returns to Belleville, where he has one goal and three assists in eight games this season.

Dauphin has six goals and 12 assists (18 points) in 30 games with Tucson this season. Dauphin could have an extended stay with the Coyotes because he is expected to replace Nick Schmaltz, who may land on IR.

Mantha has been out since December 2nd, missing the last 14 games with a hand injury but will play Friday vs. the Predators. Mantha has scored nine goals and five assists (14 points) in 27 games this season.

Markstrom allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Canucks win in Ottawa last night. With Thatcher Demko not expected to be called up until their next game, Markstrom will likely start both games of the Canucks back-to-back. Markstrom has won three in a row evil stopping 91 of the 98 shots (.929 SV%) that he has faced.

Prosser will be replaced by Ryan Murphy, who will be making his season debut after being called up from Iowa (AHL) on Tuesday.

Murphy was recalled from Iowa (AHL) on Tuesday and will make his season debut in Toronto this afternoon. Murphy, who has played in 172 career NHL games, has 13 points (3G / 10A) in 27 games with Iowa this season.

Seeler missed the last two games with an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup in Toronto on Thursday afternoon. Seeler doesn’t bring a lot of offence to the table, having picked up just three points (1G / 2A) in 36 games this year.

Dubnyk allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Wild’s loss to the Penguins on Monday. Since December 15th, Dubnyk has gone 1-5-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .913 SV% in his last seven starts. Things won’t get any easier in Toronto this afternoon—the Maple Leafs have won five of their last six while averaging 4.50 goals for per game.

Hutchinson allowed four goals on 35 shots in his Toronto Marlies (AHL) debut after being acquired from Florida. With Frederik Andersen (groin) and Garret Sparks (concussion protocol) out, Hutchinson is expected to make his Maple Leafs debut on Thursday. Hutchinson was 1-1-2 with a 4.17 GAA and .839 SV% in four games with the Panthers earlier this season.

Niskanen has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury but is expected to play Thursday in St. Louis. Niskanen has five goals and 10 assists (15 points) in 36 games this season.

Davidson recently cleared waivers but could remain with the Blackhawks after they traded Brandon Manning. Davidson has one assist and a minus-4 rating in seven games this season.

Holtby surrendered six goals on 34 shots in the Capitals loss to the Predators on Monday. Holtby has been stockpiling wins this season, ranking tied for eighth (15) in the NHL in that category. However, he is tied for 21st in SV% (.912) and tied for 29th in GAA (2.84). Tonight he takes on a Blues team that has lost four of seven and could be without Vladimir Tarasenko (illness—game time decision).

Armia has missed the last 26 games with a knee injury but will play Thursday for the first time since November 6th. Armia will skate on a line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen and has three goals and four assists (seven points) in 15 games this season.

Martinsen drew into the lineup for the Winter Classic but played just 4:14 TOI. John Hayden will replace Martinsen on Thursday.

Hayden was a healthy scratch for the Winter Classic but will be back in the lineup for the third time in four games. Hayden will replace Andreas Martinsen.