NHL Hockey Player News

Mason has missed the last seven games with a concussion but will return as Connor Hellebuyck’s backup on Monday. Prior to getting hurt Mason was playing his best hockey of the season, stopping 78 of the last 82 shots (.951 SV%) that he faced. The Jets have a back-to-back coming up this weekend, so Mason should get at least one of the next three games.

Comrie made only one start with the Jets during his call-up and he struggled allowing five goals on 35 shots in a loss to the Panthers last Thursday. With Steve Mason being activated from IR, Comrie returns to the Moose where he has gone 8-4-1 with a 2.30 GAA and .927 SV% in 13 games this season.

Atkinson was benched for the third period in New Jersey on Friday and was healthy scratched Saturday vs. the Coyotes. Head coach John Tortorella wants more out of Atkinson, who has just six goals and three assists (nine points) in 25 games this season.

Welinski, 24, was a third round pick (No.83 overall) in 2011 and was expected to have a chance to make the team out of training camp, but started the year in San Diego. Welinski has registered six goals and 11 assists (17 points) in 21 games with the Gulls and is expected to replace Jaycob Megna in the lineup vs. the Hurricanes.

Gibson allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Ducks loss to Minnesota on Friday. Gibson has lost three in a row while allowing three goals in each game and posting a .941 SV%. Gibson gone 5-7-2 with a 2.77 GAA and .926 SV% on home ice this season and the Ducks get a boost tonight with Ryan Getzlaf and Jakob Silfverberg expected to play.

Markstrom allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Canucks loss to the Flyers last Thursday. Markstrom has gone 2-1-0 while turning away 87 of 91 shots (.956 SV%). Markstrom has struggled a bit on the road this season, going 4-3-1 with a 2.60 GAA and .905 SV% in eight starts and one relief appearance away from Vancouver this season.

Baertschi left Saturday’s game in Calgary after taking a puck to the face and returned to Vancouver over the weekend. The Canucks announced on Monday that Baertschi will miss at least one month with a fractured jaw. The Canucks are without two-thirds of their top line with Baertschi joins Bo Horvat on the shelf.

Zibanejad was on the ice for the Rangers morning skate but will miss his sixth straight game tonight. Zibanejad has not been cleared for contact and head coach Alain Vigneault said he will need at least one practice before getting back in the lineup.

Johansen has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but practiced this morning and could be back in the lineup on Wednesday. Johansen is eligible to come off of IR whenever he is healthy, so expect him to travel on the Predators upcoming road trip.

Schneider allowed five goals on 28 shots in the Devils loss to the Blue Jackets last Friday. Keith Kinkaid gave him the night off on Saturday, so Schneider will be back in the crease tonight vs. the Kings. Schneider has won three of his last five and is 5-4-2 with a 2.77 GAA and .916 SV% on home ice this season.

Byfuglien left Saturday’s game in Tampa Bay with a lower-body injury and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Tucker Poolman will draw into the Jets lineup Monday and Tyler Myers will likely play on the top power-play.

Bernier was pulled after allowing four goals on nine shots in Colorado’s loss to Dallas on December 3rd. Semyon Varlamov has started the last three games but it looks like Bernier will start the front-end of Colorado’s back-to-back tonight in Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old has gone 1-3-1 with a 3.74 GAA and .880 SV% in five road starts this season.

Bernier was pulled after allowing four goals on nine shots in Colorado’s loss to Dallas on December 3rd. Semyon Varlamov has started the last three games but it looks like Bernier will start the front-end of Colorado’s back-to-back tonight in Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old has gone 1-3-1 with a 3.74 GAA and .880 SV% in five road starts this season.

Barkov missed Saturday’s loss to Colorado but was back on the Panthers top line at Monday’s morning skate so look for him to suit up against the Red Wings tonight. Barkov has placed himself firmly as one of the NHL’s best centres this season and comes into Monday with four goals and two assists (six points) in his last six games.

Kuhnhackl missed Saturday’s game vs. the Maple Leafs and is questionable for tonight’s game vs. the Avalanche. Kuhnhackl was on the ice for the morning skate, but skated as an extra forward so it doesn’t seem likely that he will play tonight.

Hornqvist left Saturday’s game vs. the Maple Leafs after taking a puck to the face and is questionable for tonight’s game vs. Colorado. Hornqvist was on the ice for the Penguins morning skate, skating on the third line so it looks likely that he will play tonight.

Hellebuyck allowed four goals on 29 shots in the Jets loss in Tampa Bay on Saturday. Hellebuyck has lost his last two starts while allowing a combined nine goals on 60 shots (.850 SV%). With Steve Mason still out, Hellebuyck will get a chance to right the ship tonight vs. the Canucks.

Reimer allowed five goals on 28 shots in the Panthers loss to Colorado on Saturday. Reimer has gone 2-1-2 while allowing a combined 19 goals on 170 shots (.888 SV%) in his last five starts. Despite some ugly numbers, he has a nice matchup tonight in Detroit. In his first start vs. the Red Wings, Reimer stopped 36 of 38 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss in late-October.