NHL Hockey Player News

Edvinsson has missed the last three games due to an illness, but will re-enter the lineup on Friday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 22-year-old Swedish defenseman is averaging 21:32 time-on-ice and has six points (3G / 3A) in 21 games this season.

After a mediocre 3-3-0 start to the 2025-26 season, the Stars have switched gears and become one of the top teams in the NHL, going 12-2-4 in 18 games since. That said, the Stars still hope Oettinger can up his game to another level. The 26-year-old netminder has a 2.74 GAA and .900 SV% in 16 games this season (10-4-2). The Stars enter Friday’s contest as -130 home favorites against a Utah Mammoth team that is 3-4-3 in its last 10 games.

The Red Wings will turn to Gibson on Friday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning, looking for stability in their crease after being outscored 18-9 in their last four games (1-3-0). The Red Wings acquired the 32-year-old Gibson in the offseason in hopes of solidifying their goaltending position, but he has left much to be desired, posting an ugly 3.46 GAA and .870 SV% in 12 appearances (4-6-1). That said, one of his best performances of the season came in a 2-1 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning when he saved 21 of 32 shots (.969 SV%).

After a subpar start to the 2025-26 season, Tampa Bay finds itself atop the Atlantic Division and is riding a five-game winning streak. Vasilevskiy will return to the crease on Friday afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings, looking to build on a 2.28 GAA and .915 SV% through 17 games (10-5-2). The 31-year-old veteran netminder has been outstanding lately, allowing one or fewer goals in five straight games (5-0-0), posting an absurd .970 SV%.

The Blackhawks are coming off a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild and hope to snap a four-game losing skid (0-3-1) with Soderblom tending the twine on Friday against the Nashville Predators. The 26-year-old Soderblom is easily coming off his worst performance of the season, allowing nine goals on 31 shots (.710 SV%) in a 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Soderblom has a 3.46 GAA and .881 SV% in seven games this season (3-3-1). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as slight -110 home favourites against a Predators team coming off a 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

With the emergence of Lane Hutson and the acquisition of Noah Dobson, Matheson has fallen down Montreal's depth chart since his career-best 62-point season (11G / 51A) in 2023-24, but remains a key component of their blueline and has been rewarded with a five-year, $6 million AAV contract extension. The 31-year-old defenseman doesn't see much powerplay time anymore, but still leads the team, averaging 24:50 time-on-ice this season. He has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 22 games.

The Rangers have stumbled through the 2025-26 season, off to a mediocre 12-11-2 start, but have won two straight and will turn to Shesterkin to tend the twine on Friday against the Boston Bruins. The 29-year-old Shesterkin was excellent in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%). He has a 2.47 GAA and .911 SV% in 19 games this season (9-8-2). The Rangers enter the action on Friday as -135 road favorites against a Bruins team that has scored three or fewer goals in seven straight games (3-4-0).

The Blue Jackets have hovered around .500 all season, yet to assert dominance, but have managed to stay in games despite losing six of their last 10 (4-2-4). Greaves played well for the Blue Jackets on Wednesday, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and has become the go-to-guy between the pipes for the team. The 24-year-old goalie has a 2.74 GAA and .905 SV% in 15 games this season (7-4-4). The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as -132 home favorites against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has lost seven of their last 10 (3-4-3).

The Canadiens have won two straight, both with Jakub Dobes tending the twine, but they will turn to Montembeault on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. After a breakout 2024-25 season, Montembeault has struggled in 2025-26, posting an ugly 3.71 GAA and .852 SV% in 12 appearances (4-5-1). Worse, he has lost his last four outings (0-4-0) while allowing 12 goals on 52 combined shots (.813 SV%). The Canadiens enter Friday's contest as +160 road underdogs against a Golden Knights team that has lost three straight (0-1-2).