NHL Hockey Player News

Sateri will serve as Jonathan Bernier’s backup on Friday because Jimmy Howard is dealing with an illness. Sateri has gone 18-9-0 with a 2.79 GAA and .902 SV% in 30 games with the Griffins this season.

Howard is the latest Red Wing to get hit by the virus that is going around the locker room and has already forced Frans Nielsen and Gustav Nyquist to miss one game. Harri Sateri has been called- up from Grand Rapids (AHL) to backup Jonathan Bernier.

Bernier allowed one goal on 12 shots after replacing Jimmy Howard in an eventual overtime loss to the Blackhawks on Wednesday. Bernier has made three straight abbreviated appearances, stopping 27 of the 30 shots (.900 SV%) that he has faced. Overall, it hasn’t been a great year for Bernier, who comes into Friday’s game at 1-4-1 with a 2.69 GAA and .904 SV% at Little Caesars Arena.

Murray is out indefinitely after suffering an upper-body injury against the Lightning on Monday. This is a tough break for Murray, who has set career-highs in assists (28) and points (29) in 56 games this season. His move to IR opens up a roster spot so Matt Duchene could be added to the roster.

Smith allowed two goals on 19 shots in the Flames win over the Islanders on Wednesday. Smith will make his fifth straight start, having won three in a row while making 78 saves on 86 shots (.907 SV%). Smith continues to play well and makes for a solid option against a Ducks team that ranks last in the NHL in goal-scoring (2.23 GF/pg).

Davidsson is a more under the radar prospect, who quickly rose up the ranks in Columbus after a strong season in Sweden a year ago. Davidsson has continued that play with similar numbers this season, scoring 10 goals with 10 assists (20 points) in 35 games as a 21-year-old with Djurgårdens IF.

Abramov is a highly touted prospect, who was at the top of the Blue Jackets farm system after being picked in the third-round (No.65 overall) in 2016. The under-sized winger (5-foot-9, 171 lbs) has excellent elusiveness and dangling ability, that he he has used to score 12 goals with 10 assists (22 points) in 52 AHL games this season.

Bergman is a right-shot defenseman that was originally drafted by the Sharks in the second-round of the 2014 NHL Draft. The 23-year-old was shipped to Ottawa as a part of the Mike Hoffman deal and is on the move for the second time in a year. Bergman’s offence has dropped off in each of the last two seasons. So far this year, he has no goals and six assists in 33 AHL games and is expected to report to Cleveland (AHL).

Smith allowed two goals on 19 shots in the Flames win over the Islanders on Wednesday. Smith will make his fifth straight start, having won three in a row while making 78 saves on 86 shots (.907 SV%). Smith continues to play well and makes for a solid option against a Ducks team that ranks last in the NHL in goal-scoring (2.23 GF/pg).

Duchene is expected to walk across the hall and make his Blue Jackets debut tonight in Ottawa. It remains to be seen where Duchene will slot into the lineup, but the second line seems like the most reasonable spot. Despite playing for a mostly poor Senators team, Duchene is on-pace to set a new career-high in goals (39) and points (84). The 2019 first-round pick is lottery protected and the Senators will only receive the 2020 pick if Duchene re-signs in Columbus.

Dahlstrom missed the morning skate with an illness and will be a game-time call for Friday’s game against the Avalanche. Brent Seabrook likely isn’t available tonight so the Blackhawks will need to recall a defenseman if Dahlstrom can’t play.

Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Blue Jackets loss in Montreal on Tuesday. The 30-year-old has gone 5-2-0 with a 2.30 GAA, .922 SV% and one shutout in February, definitely improving his trade value, should Columbus elect to move him in the coming days. Tonight’s game shouldn’t hurt that value, as he’s a must-start against a Senators team that is benching their top players for a second straight night.

Delia was pulled after he allowed three goals on 10 shots in the Blackhawks crazy 8-7 win over the Senators on Monday. Delia played really well for a while but has struggled a lot recently, allowing at least three goals in six straight appearances—allowing a combined 23 goals on 192 shots (.880 SV%). On the plus side, Delia is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .956 SV% in two games vs. the Avalanche this year.

Bernier allowed one goal on 12 shots after replacing Jimmy Howard in an eventual overtime loss to the Blackhawks on Wednesday. Bernier has made three straight abbreviated appearances, stopping 27 of the 30 shots (.900 SV%) that he has faced. Overall, it hasn’t been a great year for Bernier, who comes into Friday’s game at 1-4-1 with a 2.69 GAA and .904 SV% at Little Caesars Arena.

With Matt Duchene, Mark Stone and Ryan Dzingel on their way out, Brown gets called up for the first time this season. The former No.11 overall pick (2016) has had a strong year in his first AHL campaign, ranking third on Belleville in points with 34 (12G / 22A) in 39 games. The 20-year-old is expected to make his season debut on Friday and has one assist in four career NHL games.

With Matt Duchene, Mark Stone and Ryan Dzingel on their way out, Batherson returns to the Senators where he could play a significant role down the stretch. Batherson leads Belleville in points this season with 49 (18G / 31A) in 41 games. During his 17-game stint with Ottawa earlier this season, Batherson scored three goals with five assists (eight points).