NHL Hockey Player News

Blandísi, 21, was a sixth round pick in the 2012 NHL draft. The 6-foot, 200 lbs. centre has registered seven goals and nine assists (16 points) in 18 games in his first season in the AHL. He had 52 goals and 60 assists (112 points) in 68 games with Barrie (OHL) last year. He could make his NHL debut on Friday vs. the Red Wings.

Zajac has missed the last two games and did not travel with the team to Toronto for Thursday’s game. His movement to IR made room on the roster to call up Joseph Blandisi from Albany (AHL). His movement to IR is retroactive to December 3rd, so he is eligible to return whenever he is healthy.

Hamhuis was hit right near the mouth by a Dan Boyle slapshot and immediately left the ice and was taken to hospital. He was held at the hospital overnight and will likely miss an extended period of time.

Landeskog was scratched in Wednesday's game against the Penguins. Landeskog was expected to play but did not come out for warmups and ended up being scratched with Mikhail Grigorenko returning to the lineup. Consider Landeskog as day-to-day until the Avalanche release more information.

Couture was playing in just his second game after missing 23 with a broken fibula. Exiting Wednesday's game sparks speculation that Couture may have suffered a setback. The details are limited at this point, so expect an update on Thursday or Friday.

McElhinney allowed two goals on seven shots after replacing Sergei Bobrovsky in the Blue Jackets OT loss to the Kings on Tuesday. Bobrovsky will miss three weeks with a groin strain, so McElhinney will become the starter, including tonight in Winnipeg. McElhinney has gone 0-4-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .905 SV% in four starts and three relief appearance this season.

Bobrovsky was injured late in Tuesday's overtime loss to the Kings and will be out three the month of December. Curtis McElhinney becomes the Blue Jackets' starter through the rest of December, beginning Thursday in Winnipeg.

Miller allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Canucks victory over the Sabres on Monday. Miller snapped a three-game losing streak, but was just his eighth win on the year. Miller has gone 4-4-3 with a 2.54 GAA and .915 SV% at home this season, but his recent struggles and tough matchup with Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers, make him a scary start tonight.

Miller allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Canucks victory over the Sabres on Monday. Miller snapped a three-game losing streak, but was just his eighth win on the year. Miller has gone 4-4-3 with a 2.54 GAA and .915 SV% at home this season, but his recent struggles and tough matchup with Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers, make him a scary start tonight.

Lundqvist stopped 23 of 24 shots in the Rangers win over the Senators on Sunday. Lundqvist has stopped 59 of the last 61 shots (.967 SV%) in his last two starts. Lundqvist has gone 5-3-2 with a 2.05 GAA and .938 SV% on the road this season and comes in with a 1.99 GAA and .938 SV% overall on the season.

Elliott allowed one goal on 25 shots in the Blues shootout loss in Brooklyn last Friday. Elliott has only started eight games this season but has appeared in relief three times. Overall, he has gone 4-2-2 with a 2.36 GAA and .909 SV% this season and tonight will be his third home start. Tonight he faces a Flyers team that has gone 4-2-0 while averaging 3.00 goals per game in their last six.

Fleury allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Penguins loss in Anaheim on Sunday. Fleury has lost three of his last four (1-2-1) despite posting a solid 2.25 GAA and .935 SV%. Fleury has gone 5-5-1 with a 2.01 GAA and .936 SV% on the road this season and tonight he takes on the Avalanche for the second time this season—he allowed three goals on 31 shots in a 4-3 loss in the first meeting.

Jones was yanked after allowing three goals on 14 shots in the Sharks loss in Calgary last night. Despite the rough outing, the Sharks will go back to Jones tonight in Edmonton. Jones has lost three in a row while posting a 3.39 GAA and .882 SV%. Overall he is 9-3-0 on the road this season and will take on an Oilers team that has won three in a row.

Rask stopped all 17 shots that he faced in the Bruins’ shutout win over the Canucks on Saturday. Rask has gone 4-0-2 with a 1.71 GAA and .941 SV% in his last six starts, but tonight he runs into a Canadiens team that has dominated him in his career. In 21 career games against Montreal, Rask has gone 3-14-3 with a 2.74 GAA and .906 SV%, including a loss this season.