NHL Hockey Player News

The Capitals have lost consecutive regulation games for only the second time this season and will attempt to return to the win column on Friday with Lindgren between the pipes. Lindgren allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old Lindgren has a 2.69 GAA and .899 SV% in 15 games this season (9-6-0). The Capitals enter Friday's contest as +136 home underdogs against a Hurricanes club that defeated them 4-2 on November 3rd.

The Capitals have lost consecutive regulation games for only the second time this season and will attempt to return to the win column on Friday with Lindgren between the pipes. Lindgren allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old Lindgren has a 2.69 GAA and .899 SV% in 15 games this season (9-6-0). The Capitals enter Friday's contest as +136 home underdogs against a Hurricanes club that defeated them 4-2 on November 3rd.

Kochetkov is coming off his first shutout of the season, a spectacular 32-save performance in a 4-0 win over the New York Islanders. He returns to the crease on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Kochetkov has a 2.47 GAA and .902 SV% in 19 appearances this season (13-5-0). The Hurricanes have outscored their opposition 8-1 in their last two games (2-0-0) and enter Friday's contest as -151 road favorites against a Capitals club riding a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).

Duclair has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in mid-October but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start before his injury, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.

Lagesson has 11 points (0G / 11A) in 100 career NHL games but has exclusively played in the AHL this season. The 28-year-old defenseman has eight points (2G / 6A) in 20 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) this season.

Utah HC has won three straight and will roll with Vejmelka between the pipes for this fifth consecutive game. The 28-year-old Czech netminder is far and away having the best season of his career, posting a stellar 2.37 GAA and .915 SV% in 18 appearances (7-7-2). He has allowed three or fewer goals in three straight (3-0-0), posting a .917 SV%. Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +112 road underdogs against a Minnesota Wild club coming off a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

The Bruins signed Johnson at the beginning of November but he will be looking for a new home after being placed on waivers on Friday. The 34-year-old Johnson averaged 13:05 time-on-ice and scored two points (0G / 2A) in nine games with the Bruins.

The Ducks are riding a two-game winning streak and will turn to Gibson between the pipes on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. Gibson was solid in his most recent outing, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 31-year-old netminder has a 3.00 GAA and .906 SV% in 10 games this season (5-4-1). The Ducks enter Friday's contest as +201 home underdogs against an Avalanche club that played last night and defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-2.

The Canadiens acquired Carrier from the Nashville Predators on Wednesday in exchange for defenseman Justin Barron. Carrier has not played since December 7th due to an upper-body injury. He joins the Canadiens after scoring 11 goals and 58 assists in 245 career games with the Predators.

Gustafsson is battling an illness and could be unavailable for Saturday's game against the Minnesota Wild. The 24-year-old Gustafsson has only played three games this season, only one in the last nine, and has yet to score a point.

Stanley suffered a lower-body injury after block a shot in Winnipeg's last game and will be shut down until after the Christmas break. The 26-year-old Stanley is averaging 15:00 time-on-ice, recording four points (1G / 3A), 53 penalty minutes, 32 blocks, and 23 hits in 22 games this season.

Broberg did not play in yesterday's 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning and could miss a second consecutive game on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 23-year-old Broberg is averaging 21:01 time-on-ice and has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 21 games.

Faksa has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Florida Panthers. In his first season with the Blues, Faksa has seven points (2G / 5A) in 29 games.

With Matt Rempe drawing back into the Rangers lineup on Friday against the Dallas Stars, Vesey will be a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Vesey has three points (2G / 1A) in 17 games this season and has only one point (0G / 1A) in his last 12.

Jones has been a stable presence on the Rangers blueline this season. The 24-year-old defenseman is averaging a career-high 16:38 time-on-ice, recording eight points (1G / 7A), 15 blocks, and 13 hits in 25 games.