NHL Hockey Player News

Jones has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, but could return tonight vs. the Panthers. Jones is a candidate for the Norris Trophy this season, so his return to the Blue Jackets lineup would obviously be a huge boost. He has registered 14 goals and 35 assists (49 points) in 71 games so far.

Gibson allowed one goal on 37 shots in the Islanders win over the Penguins on Tuesday. It was a spectacular outing for the young netminder, who will get his sixth start of the year tonight vs. the Islanders. Gibson is 2-1-2 with a 2.58 GAA and .936 SV% in the NHL this season.

It’s the first start for DeSmith since March 14th when he allowed four goals on 33 shots in an overtime loss to the Rangers. Tristian Jarry was sent down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) on Monday, so DeSmith should continue to handle backup duties from here on out. He draws a strong matchup tonight against the Canadiens.

Fleury left Tuesday’s game after getting hit in the mask by a shot and he did not return. While he will not travel with the team originally, they left the door open for him to potentially join the team in San Jose on Thursday. The Golden Knights have not made a call-up yet, but it seems safe to assume that someone will come up and backup Malcolm Subban tomorrow.

Koivula, 19, was a fourth round pick of the Islanders in 2016 and has been playing in Finland. The 6-foot-3, 220 lbs. winger picked up nine goals and 18 assists (27 points) in 53 games with Ilves Tampere this season—good for fifth on the team.

Matthews has been out since February 22nd but will return Thursday in Nashville. Matthews has had a strong season and the Maple Leafs did well without him. The 20-year-old has registered 28 goals and 22 assists (50 points) in 53 games this season.

Gibson allowed two goals on 17 shots in the Ducks win over the Devils on Sunday. Gibson has won three in a row while posting a 1.33 GAA, .949 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he takes on the Flames for the fourth time this season—he is 1-2-0 with a 2.05 GAA and .928 SV% in the first three meetings.

Marody, 21, was a sixth round pick of the Flyers in 2015 and just wrapped up his junior year at the University of Michigan. Marody led Michigan in points, picking up 14 goals and 32 assists (46 points) in 37 games.

Anderson was pulled after he allowed four goals on 17 shots in the Senators loss to the Panthers on Tuesday. Anderson is now 13-12-4 with a 3.37 GAA and .896 SV% on home ice this season and he’ll be in tough again tonight with the Oilers in town. Edmonton has won five of their last eight games while averaging 3.13 goals for per game.

Pavelec has been sidelined since February 9th but will backup Alexandar Georgiev in Philadelphia tomorrow. Pavelec posted a 3.01 GAA and .910 SV% in 16 appearances before getting hurt.

Lundqvist was hurt Tuesday vs. the Blue Jackets but was able to finish the game, allowing four goals on 30 shots in a loss to Columbus. With Lundqvist out, Alexandar Georgiev will start and Ondrej Pavelec returns as the backup.

Georgiev allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Rangers loss in St. Louis on Saturday. With Henrik Lundqvist dealing with an injury, Georgiev will make his seventh start tonight in Philadelphia. The 22-year-old has gone 1-1-1 with a 2.64 GAA and .927 SV% on the road in his early-career.

Smith surrendered three goals on 28 shots in the Flames loss in Arizona on Monday. Since returning to the crease, Smith has lost four of five starts while posting an ugly 3.68 GAA and .872 SV%. Tonight he faces a Ducks team that he has had a lot of success against this season—going 2-1-0 with a 1.35 GAA and .965 SV% in the first three meetings of the season.

Khudobin allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Bruins loss in Florida last Thursday. He has lost his last two while allowing six goals on 67 shots (.911 SV%). Tonight he faces a Blues team without Vladimir Tarasenko. Khudobin is 9-4-2 with a 2.33 GAA and .924 SV% on the road this season.

Tarasenko will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury that he suffered vs. the Rangers on Saturday. Taranseko was not on the ice for the last two days, which clouds his status for the remainder of this all important playoff week.

Raanta allowed two goals on 44 shots in the Coyotes win over the Flames on Monday. Since returning from injury, Raanta has turned aside 72 of 76 shots (.947 SV%). Raanta has been great since early-February, winning nine of his last 12 starts (9-2-1). He makes for an excellent option tonight in Buffalo.

Raanta allowed two goals on 44 shots in the Coyotes win over the Flames on Monday. Since returning from injury, Raanta has turned aside 72 of 76 shots (.947 SV%). Raanta has been great since early-February, winning nine of his last 12 starts (9-2-1). He makes for an excellent option tonight in Buffalo.