NHL Hockey Player News

With Pyotr Kochetkov (concussion) still sidelined, Martin will return to the crease for the Hurricanes. The 29-year-old Martin has showcased mixed results this season, posting a 3.33 GAA and .856 SV% in seven appearances (3-2-1), but has won two straight. The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as -154 home favorites against a Florida Panthers club that defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 in their most recent outing, snapping a season-worst four-game losing skid.

Georgiev will return to the crease on Friday after a strong performance in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 19 shots in a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Colorado has struggled to receive adequate goaltending this season, but Georgiev has significantly improved lately, posting .910 SV% in his last eight appearances (6-1-0). Colorado enters Friday's contest as +114 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club riding a two-game losing skid.

With Akil Thomas (undisclosed) being placed on Injured Reserve, the Kings have recalled Lee from the Ontario Reign (AHL) on an emergency basis. The 24-year-old Lee has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign with the Kings, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in 15 games.

The Kings have recalled Andre Lee from the Ontario Reign (AHL) in correspondence to Thomas being placed on Injured Reserve. The 24-year-old Thomas has already played a career-high 10 games this season, averaging 11:07 time-on-ice and scoring two points (1G / 1A).

Buchnevich suffered a lower-body injury after falling awkwardly midway through the second period of Wednesday's game and was unable to return. Thankfully for the Blues, the injury should not keep him sidelined for an extended period. The 29-year-old Buchnevich has 15 points (6G / 9A) in 24 games this season.

Chinakhov has been one of the best offensive producers for the Blue Jackets this season but will not play on Friday. The 23-year-old is averaging a career-high 17:01 time-on-ice and has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 21 games this season.

Hintz did not play in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks but will re-enter the lineup on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 28-year-old Hintz, nearly a point-per-game player over the past three seasons, only has 13 points (8G / 5A) in 20 games this season, but has three in his last three (2G / 1A). Logan Stankoven (undisclosed) will exit the stars lineup, making room for Hintz to return.

The Blue Jackets will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes for a fifth straight game. Despite allowing four or more goals in three of his last four, Merzlikins has salvaged a 3-1-0 record. The 30-year-old Latvian netminder has a 3.15 GAA and .890 SV% in 13 games this season (6-5-2). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Friday as slight -108 home favorites against a Calgary Flames club riding a two-game losing skid.

Stankoven is battling an undisclosed ailment and will miss his first game of the season on Friday. The 21-year-old rookie has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 21 games this season. Roope Hintz (undisclosed) will draw back into the lineup for the Stars.

Nils Lundkvist (lower body) will return from an injury and Alex Petrovic will make his season debut for the Stars at Matt Dumba and Brendan Smith will be healthy scratches. The 35-year-old Smith has been serviceable in a limited capacity for the Stars, averaging 13:47 time-on-ice and scoring three points (0G / 3A) in 12 games.

Nils Lundkvist (lower body) will return from an injury and Alex Petrovic will make his season debut for the Stars at Matt Dumba and Brendan Smith will be healthy scratches. Dumba started the season on the top defensive pair alongside Miro Heiskanen but has struggled, finding himself on the bottom pair lately.

Lundkvist has not played the last three games due to a lower-body injury but will re-enter the lineup on Friday. The 24-year-old Lundkvist has one point (0G / 1A) in 15 games this season while averaging 13:58 time-on-ice. Brendan Smith and Matt Dumba will both be healthy scratches on the Stars' blueline as Alex Petrovic joins Lundkvist returning to the lineup.

Petrovic has only played one regular season NHL game in the last five years but had an impact in seven playoff games with Dallas this past postseason. Nils Lundkvist (lower body) also returns to the Stars lineup on Friday as Matt Dumba and Brendan Smith will be healthy scratches.

The Stars have been bleeding goals lately, allowing 11 in their last four periods. Oettinger allowed five on 33 shots in his previous outing (.848 SV%) but was playing well before that blip, allowing two or fewer in five straight (5-0-0), posting a .934 SV%. The Stars enter the action on Friday as -138 home favorites against division rivals, the Colorado Avalanche, coming off a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Friedman has played 88 career games in the NHL but has had trouble solidifying himself on a roster. The 28-year-old defenseman has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in eight games.

Bains has been back and forth from the AHL all season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in Vancouver. The 23-year-old Bains is averaging 10:56 time-on-ice and has one point (1G / 0A) in 11 games.

The Blackhawks signed Brossoit to a two-year deal worth $6.6 million ($3.3M AAV) in the offseason. The 31-year-old Brossoit has suffered a setback in his return to action after underdoing an additional procedure and will be out of the lineup for approximately six more weeks.

The Stars have been bleeding goals lately, allowing 11 in their last four periods. Oettinger allowed five on 33 shots in his previous outing (.848 SV%) but was playing well before that blip, allowing two or fewer in five straight (5-0-0), posting a .934 SV%. The Stars enter the action on Friday as -138 home favorites against division rivals, the Colorado Avalanche, coming off a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Tarasov has not played since November 16th and will not suit on Friday due to an illness. The 25-year-old Tarasov has an ugly 4.04 GAA and .861 SV% in eight games this season (3-4-1). The Blue Jackets have recalled Jet Greaves from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) on an emergency basis.

Granlund was a late scratch on Monday, with his absence being announced prior to warmups, and did not play on Wednesday. Macklin Celebrini centered the Sharks first line in his place. The 32-year-old Granlund has been excellent since joining the Sharks last season, scoring 84 points (21G / 63A) in 92 combined games.