NHL Hockey Player News

Petr Mrazek was activated from Injured Reserve on Thursday but will likely serve as the backup to Soderblom against the Seattle Kraken. The 25-year-old Soderblom has posted solid numbers this season with a 2.70 GAA and .909 SV% in 12 games (4-7-1). He has won three of his last four, posting a .894 SV%. The Blackhawks enter Thursday's contest as +119 home underdogs against a Kraken squad outscored 8-1 during a two-game losing skid.

Allen has been sidelined with an injury for most of December but will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 34-year-old Allen has showcased mixed results this season, posting a 2.74 GAA and .900 SV% in 10 games (5-4-1). The Devils are riding a three-game winning streak and enter Thursday's contest as significant -216 road favorites against a Blue Jackets squad desperate for a win amid a five-game losing skid.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph was acquired in a trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, opening up a roster spot on the Blues' blueline, potentially to be filled by Tucker. The 24-year-old Tucket has 52 games of NHL experience but has primarily played in the AHL. He has 10 points (4G / 6A) in 19 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season.

Atkinson has not played since December 10th but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 35-year-old has five points (3G / 2A) and is averaging 10:00 time-on-ice through 17 games this season.

Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 31 shots (.903 SV%) on Tuesday but was good enough to secure a 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. He will likely return to the crease on Thursday, looking to improve on his 2.44 GAA and .908 SV% through 24 games this season (14-9-1). Tampa Bay is riding a three-game winning streak and enters Thursday's contest as sizeable -211 home favorites against a St. Louis Blues club that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

Faber left Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers late in the third period but should be ready to play on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 22-year-old Faber has 17 points (3G / 14A) in 32 games this season and is amongst league leaders in ice-time, averaging 25:10 time-on-ice.

Reinhardt played five games with Ottawa earlier this season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has primarily been a fixture in the AHL. The 24-year-old winger has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 13 games with the Belleville Senators (AHL) this season.

Jet Greaves started three of the last four games for the Blue Jackets, but he has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL), opening the door for Merzlikins to return to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has allowed nine goals in his last two games (0-2-0), posting a .830 SV%, and has a 3.11 GAA and .887 SV% in 20 games this season (9-9-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +191 home underdogs against a Devils squad outscoring their opposition 11-3 during a three-game winning streak.

Despite a 1-1-0 record, Blackwood has been tremendous since joining the Avalanche, posting a stellar 2.05 GAA and .937 SV%. He will return to the crease for a third straight game when Colorado visits his former team, the San Jose Sharks. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as sizeable -246 road favorites against a Sharks club that has lost five of their last six (1-5-0).

James Malatesta will make his season debut on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils, sending Labanc to the press box as a healthy scratch. Labanc has been productive from primarily a fourth-line role for the Blue Jackets, scoring 12 points (2G / 10A) in 27 games, but has only two points (1G / 1A) in his last 14 games.

Malatesta was a fifth-round pick, 133rd overall, of the Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old made his NHL debut last season, scoring four points (2G / 2A) in 11 games with Columbus. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 25 games with Cleveland (AHL) this season.

With Petr Mrazek being activated from IR, Commesso has been assigned to Rockford (AHL). The 22-year-old Commesso made his first career NHL start during this stint with the Blackhawks, saving 20 of 24 shots (.833 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. During his time in Rockford (AHL), Commesso has gone 22-22-4 with a .901 SV%.

Mrazek has not played since December 7th but will rejoin the team on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken and is expected to back up Arvid Soderblom. In a corresponding move, Drew Commesso has been reassigned to Rockford (AHL).

Jet Greaves started three of the last four games for the Blue Jackets, but he has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL), opening the door for Merzlikins to return to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has allowed nine goals in his last two games (0-2-0), posting a .830 SV%, and has a 3.11 GAA and .887 SV% in 20 games this season (9-9-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +191 home underdogs against a Devils squad outscoring their opposition 11-3 during a three-game winning streak.

Chibrikov will be the odd-man out of the Jets lineup as Nikolaj Ehlers is set to return from a lower-body injury. Chibrikov has impressed in his limited opportunities this season, scoring two goals and adding one assist in four games.

Gustafsson has not played since suffering the injury on December 10th and is officially still in concussion protocol. He has appeared in just three games this season and is yet to register a point.

Miller will exit Winnipeg's lineup as they look to get some fresh legs in for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Ville Heinola will draw into the lineup in Miller's place.

Heinola will re-enter Winnipeg's lineup as they look to get some fresh legs in for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Colin Miller will sit in his place .

Originally selected in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Barron leaves Montreal after registering 13 goals and 18 assists in just 109 career games spread out across parts of four seasons. He scored just one goal and did not register an assist in 17 games with the Habs this season.

Carrier has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on December 7th but has reportedly been cleared to play. Carrier comes to the Habs after putting up 11 goals and 58 assists in 245 career games with the Predators.