NHL Hockey Player News

Grzelcyk had just one goal in his last six games and will be replaced by the recently acquired Nick Holden tonight vs. the Penguins.

Heinen has picked up just one assist in his last nine games and was benched late in Tuesday’s game. After signing Brian Gionta and acquiring Tommy Wingels at the deadline, Heinen will take a seat tonight vs. the Penguins.

After a career-year in 2016-17, Holden struggled to just 12 points (3G / 9A) in 55 games with the Rangers this season. He was traded to Boston prior to the deadline and will replace Matt Grzelcyk on the blueline tonight.

Gionta has picked up one goal in one game with Rochester (AHL) this season and appeared in the Olympics wth Team U.S.A. but will make his season debut on the third line and second power-play unit tonight. The 39-year-old veteran had 15 goals and 20 assist (35 points) in 82 games with the Sabres last season.

Schneider has been sidelined by a groin injury since January 23rd but will return to the crease tonight in Florida. The 31-year-old stopped 18 of 19 shots in a win with Binghamton (AHL) during his brief conditioning stint. Schneider has gone 1-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .944 SV% vs. the Panthers this season.

Ward allowed six goals on 39 shots in the Hurricanes loss to the Penguins last Friday. Ward has lost three in a row while posting a 3.64 GAA and .866 SV%. The Hurricanes are on a six-game slide and they will be in tough in Philadelphia—the Flyers have won six in a row and 10 of their last 11 games while averaging 3.55 goals for and 2.18 goals against.

DeSmith allowed three goals on 38 shots in the Penguins loss to the Devils on Tuesday. Despite the loss, it was a strong outing for the goaltender who just returned from the AHL. In eight appearances with the Penguins, DeSmith has a 2.35 GAA and .925 SV%, but draws a very tough matchup tonight in Boston.

Mrazek stopped all 28 shots that he faced in the Flyers shutout win in Montreal on Monday. Mrazek started playing well in Detroit before the trade and has continued that in Philadelphia, wining his first three starts with his new team while posting a 1.30 GAA, .947 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he’s a great option vs. a Hurricanes team that has lost six in a row (0-4-2).

Markstrom allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Canucks loss in Colorado on Monday. Despite starting back-to-back games, look for Markstrom to start for the third time in four nights tonight vs. the Rangers. He’s played very well as of late, stopping 74 of the last 77 shots that he has faced.

Raanta stopped all 26 shots in the Coyotes shutout win over the Ducks last Saturday. Raanta has won three of his last four starts while posting a 1.75 GAA, .950 SV% and two shutouts. In his first start against the Wild, Raanta allowed three goals on 28 shots in a 4-3 OT win in early-February.

Markstrom allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Canucks loss in Colorado on Monday. Despite starting back-to-back games, look for Markstrom to start for the third time in four nights tonight vs. the Rangers. He’s played very well as of late, stopping 74 of the last 77 shots that he has faced.

Rittich allowed seven goals on 26 shots in the Flames loss in Vegas last Wednesday. Jon Gillies started the last three games, but Rittich will start on the tail-end of the back-to-back tonight in Colorado. The 25-year-old comes in at 6-2-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .913 SV% on the road this season.

Howard allowed two goals on 38 shots in the Red Wings overtime win in New York on Sunday. Howard won both games of the Red Wings’ back-to-back over the weekend and continued his hot streak vs. the Rangers. Howard was pulled in his first start vs. the Blues, but St. Louis is struggling mightily right now and come in on the tail-end of back-to-back.

Bishop stopped all 38 shots that he faced in the Stars shutout win over the Flames on Tuesday. The win snapped a bit of a ugly stretch for Bishop and the Stars, who will welcome the Lightning to American Airlines Center tonights. The 31-year-old netminder was lit up by his former team earlier in the season, but he is 19-8-1 with a 2.06 GAA and .933 SV% on home-ice.

Dell’s play has slipped a little bit recently but he has been strong for most of the 201-7-18 season. Overall, the 28-year-old is 25-11-4 with a 2.39 GAA and .920 SV% in his 45-game NHL career. He will continue to share the Sharks’ crease with Martin Jones for at least the next two seasons.

Biega has served as a seventh defenseman for the majority of the season, picking up just six assists in 31 games. The Canucks obviously like him as a depth defenseman and will keep him around for two more seasons.