NHL Hockey Player News

Erixon has not played this season, he was sent down to make room for the Penguins to recall Bryan Rust.

Rust, 23, has recorded one assist in two games this season for WBS. Rust scored his first NHL goal on Dec. 15, 2014 versus Tampa Bay and finished with two points (1G / 1A) in 14 games with Pittsburgh last season. Rust could make his season debut tonight with Beau Bennett out.

Martin Jones has had an incredible start to the season, but he will get a night off during the Sharks’ back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. Stalock will start either Friday vs. New Jersey or Saturday vs. the Islanders, but head coach Pete DeBoer has not decided which one yet. I would expect it to be Friday vs. the lesser opponent in the Devils.

Lehtonen allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Stars win over the Oilers in his season debut. Lehtonen stabilized the net after Antti Niemi blew-up for six goals against in his last outing. Lehtonen and Niemi will likely split starts like this all season, but it is difficult to expect big things out of Lehtonen tonight when he goes to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning.

Rinne allowed a single goal on 23 shots in the Predators win over the Devils on Tuesday. It was a late goal that broke Rinne’s bid for a second straight shutout. He is off to a crazy good start to the season—he is 3-0 and has only allowed two goals on 80 shots (.975 SV%). Tonight he will face an Islanders team who have just seven goals in three games.

Shattenkirk left Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injruy and did not skate this afternoon which suggests he will not be in the lineup tonight. With Shattenkirk out, look for Joel Edmundson to get back into the lineup and for Colton Parayko to take on a bigger role.

Couture had to be helped off of the ice at practice this afternoon and was reportedly seen leaving the facility on crutches with is right foot in a boot. Couture will be evaluated, but the Sharks are not expected to release any information about Couture’s injury until Friday.

Bernier was pulled in his last start after allowing three goals on nine shots against the Red Wings. James Reimer started the last two games after Bernier allowed five goals on the first 37 shots (.865 SV%) that he faced this season. Tonight he will face a Penguins team who surprisingly ranks third last in the NHL in scoring (1.25 G/PG) through four games.

Reimer allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Maple Leafs shootout loss to the Senators last Saturday. It wasn’t a great outing for the 27-year-old, who will make his second straight start tonight in Columbus. Both teams are searching for their first wins of the season.

Glendening was injured while blocking a shot in Tuesday’s win over the Lightning. Monitor his status during Friday’s morning skate, but if he can’t play, then Joakim Andersson will replace him in the lineup.

Helm appeared to be on the verge of returning to the lineup earlier in the week, but now it looks like he will be held out of both of the Red Wings’ games this weekend. The Red Wings are off to a 3-0 start, so there is no reason to rush Helm back into action. Look for him to return next week.

After just two games, Franzen’s concussion symptoms have returned. Franzen’s career has been completely derailed by concussions and this latest bout with concussion symptoms could force Franzen to retire.

Gionta missed the first three games of the season with a lower-body injury, but will play tonight in Florida. Gionta is expected to start the game on a line with Jack Eichel and Evander Kane.

Talbot allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Oilers loss to the Predators last Saturday. Talbot has a 2.05 GAA and .929 SV% in his first two games with Edmonton, but the Oilers offence has only scored one goal in front of him. He will get another crack at the Blues tonight—he stopped 28 of 30 vs. St. Louis in the season opener.

Johnson stopped 22 of 24 shots that he faced in the Sabres win over the Blue Jackets on Monday afternoon. It was his first win as a Sabre and will make his fourth consecutive start tonight in Florida. Johnson has posted a 2.78 GAA and .891 SV% so far. He is a risky start against a Panthers’ offence that has looked strong through three games.

Calvert was injured in last night’s loss to the Senators and his day-to-day tag makes his questionable for Friday’s game vs. the Maple Leafs and Saturday’s in Chicago.

Talbot allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Oilers loss to the Predators last Saturday. Talbot has a 2.05 GAA and .929 SV% in his first two games with Edmonton, but the Oilers offence has only scored one goal in front of him. He will get another crack at the Blues tonight—he stopped 28 of 30 vs. St. Louis in the season opener.

Chorney, 28, had 19 points (4G / 15A) in 62 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season. Now with the Capitals organization, Chorney will make his debut tonight, replacing Nate Schmidt in the lineup.

Collins was sent down to make room on the roster to recall Chandler Stephenson from Hershey (AHL).

Stephenson, 21, was the Capitals third round pick (77th overall) in 2012. He had 14 points (7G / 7A) in 54 games with Hershey last season and one assist in one game this season. He will make his NHL debut on Thursday.