NHL Hockey Player News

The Flames wouldn’t say if it was injury or illness keeping Jagr out tonight, but he won’t play so Curtis Lazar will draw back in.

Smith allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Flames win over the Blackhawks on Sunday. Smith wrapped up December at 3-5-2 with a 2.62 GAA and .911 SV%—his worst month of the season so far. Tonight he goes up against a Kings team that comes in at 24-11-5—Smith is 9-10-0 with a 2.95 GAA and .903 SV% on home ice this season.

Raanta allowed four goals on 25 shots in the Coyotes loss in Anaheim on Sunday. Raanta has played fairly well this season but doesn’t have a lot of support. Raanta has gone 1-6-1 with a 2.94 GAA and .912 SV% in 10 home starts and is in tough against the visiting Predators.

Davidson got back into the lineup on Tuesday but will serve as a healthy scratch for the third time in four games tonight. Matt Benning will take his place on the blueline.

Slepyshev was a healthy scratch in seven of the last eight games but will play tonight, replacing the suspended Patrick Maroon vs. the Ducks. Slepyshev has just one goal and two assists in 16 games with the Oilers.

Benning was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but will replace Brandon Davidson in the lineup vs. the Ducks. Benning has nine points (4G / 5A) in 36 games this season.

Fleury stopped all 29 shots that he faced in the Golden Knights’ shutout win over the Predators on Tuesday. Fleury extended his winning streak to five and has been very impressive, stopping 140 of 146 shots (.959 SV%) with two shutouts over that stretch. The Golden Knights continue to shock the hockey world, so don’t hesitate to start Fleury tonight in St. Louis.

Talbot allowed five goals on 33 shots in the Oilers loss to the Kings. The rollercoaster year for Talbot continues. After winning four in a row, Talbot has lost four straight while allowing a combined 18 goals on 146 shots (.876 SV%). Until Talbot rights the ship, he remains a risky play, especially against an improving Ducks team.

Lehner allowed three goals on 42 shots in the Sabres overtime loss to the Rangers in the Winter Classic. Lehner has lost two of three while allowing three goals in each start, posting a .921 SV%. Tonight he makes his fourth consecutive start and it comes against a Wild team that has won three of four.

Dunn will miss his second straight game with an illness but should be available for the Blues’ back-to-back on Saturday/Sunday.

Ward allowed five goals on 26 shots in the Hurricanes’ overtime loss to the Capitals on Tuesday. The loss snapped a six-game losing streak for Ward, who will start for the sixth time in seven games tonight in Pittsburgh. He stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 2-1 win over the Penguins last Friday.

Methot has been out since November 6th, but is expected to replace Julius Honka on Thursday. Methot had no points in his first 15 games with the Stars before getting hurt.

Hanzal has missed the last three games but will play tonight vs. the Devils. Hanzal has struggled in his first season with the Stars, collecting just six points (3G / 3A) with a minus-11 rating in 26 games during and injury ravaged first three months.

Ward allowed five goals on 26 shots in the Hurricanes’ overtime loss to the Capitals on Tuesday. The loss snapped a six-game losing streak for Ward, who will start for the sixth time in seven games tonight in Pittsburgh. He stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 2-1 win over the Penguins last Friday.

Hrivik, 26, has recorded 10 goals and 19 assists (29 points) in 28 games with Stockton this season. The former Ranger has just three assists in 21 career NHL games. He will take Freddie Hamilton’s spot on the Flames roster.

Hamilton has sat as a healthy scratch for the majority of the season, only appearing in eight games with the Flames, collecting just one assist. He will likely fill a similar role with the Coyotes.

Brown was in the lineup for the last two games but will be replaced by Ryan Callahan (shoulder) in the lineup tonight. Brown has just four points (1G / 3A) in 22 games this season.

Callahan has missed the last eight games with a shoulder injury but will return tonight in Montreal. Callahan has recorded just one goal and five assists (six points) in 29 games this season. Callahan will replace J.T. Brown on the fourth line.

Vasilevskiy stopped all 29 shots that he faced in the Lightning’s shutout win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy enters Thursday with a 164:29 shutout streak intact. The Vezina Trophy frontrunner stopped 31 of 32 shots in a 3-1 win over the Canadiens last Thursday.

Andersen allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to the Lightning on Tuesday. Andersen has lost his last two starts while allowing a combined seven goals on 66 shots (.894 SV%). In his first start vs. the Sharks, Andersen allowed just two goals on 38 shots in a 3-2 loss.