NHL Hockey Player News

Koivu left briefly but returned to practice, so expect him to be in the lineup on Thursday. Monitor his status tomorrow just to be sure.

Scandella was injured in the second period of Tuesday’s game and missed Wednesday’s practice with an upper-body injury. The injury will keep him out of Thursday’s game, he is listed as day-to-day.

Backlund has been out since October 28th because of abdomen surgery. He recorded four points (1G / 3A) in 11 games before getting hurt. Tonight he will return to the lineup on the Flames’ third line with Paul Byron and Mason Raymond.

Pavelec allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Jets loss to the Islanders on December 31st. Michael Hutchinson has started five of the last six games, but Pavelec will start on Thursday in Arizona. It is a nice matchup to get Pav back in the crease. He won his only other start against the Coyotes—he is also 5-3-2 with a 1.96 GAA and .929 SV% on the road.

Bryzgalov allowed six goals on 31 shots in his first start with the Ducks back on December 19th. Overall he has allowed eight goals on 38 shots for a .790 SV%. It is a strange time to give Bryz a start considering the Ducks are off until Sunday after tonight, but either way it looks like he will face a Rangers team who have won 10 of their last 11.

Kane, who returned to practice this afternoon, is hopeful that he will return to the lineup during this week’s three game road trip. Kane was originally expected to be out until early-February, but he is way ahead of schedule. Playing tomorrow seems unlikely, but monitor his status heading into the weekend.

Ashton cleared waivers this afternoon and has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies because the Maple Leafs want him to get some games in.

Mason was injured when he made a point-blank save on Clarke MacArthur on Tuesday night. Mason finished the game and stopped four of five shootout attempts in the Flyers win. He left practice this morning after about 15 minutes and will undergo an MRI later today. Look for Ray Emery to start on Thursday.

Fleury surrendered four goals on 33 shots in the Penguins 4-1 loss to the Canadiens on Saturday. It has been a rough six-game stretch for Fleury—he has gone 1-4-1 with a 3.16 GAA and .898 SV%. The Penguins have been very banged up, but are starting to get healthy, so expect things to turn around for Fleury soon.

Stuart has been sidelined since December 16th, but appears to be slightly ahead of schedule in his recovery from a lower-body injury. He was originally expected to be out until early February, but with three weeks remaining in January and his participation the last two days, a late-January return seems more likely.

Enstrom, who resumed skating late last week, was in practice again this morning with a no-contact jersey. Enstrom will need to be cleared for contact before his return is imminent, but it is a good sign that he continues to skate.

Kane, who was placed on IR on Monday, took part in practice on Wednesday for the first time since being injured on December 27th. Kane is expected to be out until early February, but returning just one week into January is a positive sign that he could be back earlier. He will likely skate in a no-contact sweater for several days.

Holtby allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Capitals 4-3 win over the Panthers on Sunday. Holtby has won each of his last two starts and six of his last eight—he has posted a 2.24 GAA and .928 SV% over that eight game span. He was pulled after allowing three goals on 12 shots in the first period of his only start vs. Toronto this year.

Winnipeg has placed Brouillette on waivers with the intent to send him down to St. John’s. This move is likely good news on the injury front. Zach Bogosian has been practicing as of late and appears close to a return. Brouillette’s return to the AHL would make way for Bogosian to return tomorrow night in Arizona.

Parise missed Tuesday's game to be with his ailing father, who is battling lung cancer. There is no telling how long Parise will be away from the team, but at this point, hockey is the least of his concerns. Monitor his status on Thursday in advance of their meeting with Chicago.

Scandella left last night’s game with an undisclosed injury and did not return. Missing practice this morning puts his status for Thursday’s game in question. Expect an update after practice today or on Thursday.

Pastrnak, who was recalled after the World Juniors on Tuesday, will not play tonight vs. Pittsburgh. He will however, be in the lineup tomorrow vs. the Devils.

Rask stopped 35 of 36 shots in the Bruins 2-1 shootout loss to the Hurricanes on Sunday. Rask has lost three in a row despite posting a 2.20 GAA and .916 SV%. There is a good chance that that losing streak is extended tonight with the Bruins in Pittsburgh to take on Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.

Schneider allowed one goal on 21 shots in the Devils 4-1 win over the Sabres on Tuesday. Schneider has won back-to-back games and three of his last four while posting a 1.75 GAA and .928 SV%. On Thursday, he will start in Boston—Schneider has gone 8-12-0 with a 2.73 GAA and .915 SV% on the road this season.