NHL Hockey Player News

Shesterkin allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Rangers win in Buffalo on Wednesday. Shesterkin has turned in three strong performances in a row, going 2-1-0 while stopping 79 of the 85 shots (.929 SV%) that he's faced. This afternoon he'll face a stingy Kings team that has averaged just 2.6 goals for and 2.0 goals against in their last 11 games.

Thompson allowed two goals on 24 shots in the Capitals win in Montreal last Saturday. It's been a week since Thompson's last start, so he'll be well-rested for Saturday's meeting with the Sabres, who have lost eight straight games while averaging just 2.3 goals per game. Thompson and the Capitals are sizeable -177 home favourites in this matchup.

Greaves stopped 35 of 37 shots in the Blue Jackets overtime loss to the Capitals on Thursday. It was an outstanding season debut for Greaves, who has been solid when called upon throughout his NHL career. To date, he is 3-7-1 with a 3.30 GAA and .915 SV% in 11 career NHL games since 2023. Greaves would make for a solid spot-start on Saturday, given the Blue Jackets are -173 home favourites vs. the Ducks.

Commesso was a second-round pick in 2020 and will make his first career start in the NHL on Saturday. The 22-year-old had 73 games at the University of Boston before turning pro in 2023 and has appeared in 48 AHL games since. During his time in Rockford (AHL), Commesso has gone 22-22-4 with a .901 SV%. He draws a terrible matchup in his first career start, as the Blackhawks are +298 underdogs in New Jersey.

With Casey DeSmith sick, Hellberg comes up from the AHL, presumably to serve as Jake Oettinger's backup on Saturday. Hellberg has gone 9-3-1 with a 3.08 GAA and .904 SV% in 13 AHL games this season.

Greaves stopped 35 of 37 shots in the Blue Jackets overtime loss to the Capitals on Thursday. It was an outstanding season debut for Greaves, who has been solid when called upon throughout his NHL career. To date, he is 3-7-1 with a 3.30 GAA and .915 SV% in 11 career NHL games since 2023. Greaves would make for a solid spot-start on Saturday, given the Blue Jackets are -173 home favourites vs. the Ducks.

The Hurricanes will roll with Kochetkov for a fifth straight game on Friday when they host the Ottawa Senators. Kochetkov was solid in his previous outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, but has battled some adversity lately, allowing three or more goals in four of his last five, posting a .865 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as sizeable -210 home favorites against a Senators club with points in four of their previous five games (3-1-1).

Brown has appeared in just three games for the Oilers this season, with his last appearance coming on November 21st. He has no goals, three assists, and 50 penalty minutes in 16 AHL games this season.

Bouchard suffered a lower-body injury late in the third period of Thursday's 7-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. Before his injury, Bouchard had two assists in 21:22 time-on-ice. Thankfully for the Oilers, his injury is not long-term but he could be at risk of missing Saturday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Schultz was a second-round pick, 43rd overall, of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. After three great seasons with the University of Wisconsin, Schultz made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers in the 2012-13 season. The 34-year-old Schultz is calling it quits with 324 points (71G / 253A) in 745 career games, including winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.