NHL Hockey Player News

DeMelo, 22, has not registered a point with the Sharks this season, but has recorded five assists in 13 AHL games.

Anderson allowed three goals on 38 shots in Ottawa’s win over Chicago on Thursday. The win snapped a two-game losing skid for Anderson, who will start his 21st game of the season. The 34-year-old comes into play at 11-6-3 with a 2.81 GAA and .916 SV% on the season and 5-3-3 with a 2.47 GAA and .922 SV% on home ice.

Miller suffered a broken jaw after being hit in the head by Coyotes defenseman Klas Dahlbeck. Miller will be out until mid-January which means he will likely go on IR and the Red Wings should recall a forward. Joakim Andersson is expected to draw into the lineup for Miller on Saturday.

Pulkkinen was injured on a hit from Coyotes’ forward Martin Hanzal. Pluckiness hasn’t have a great start to the season, registering just 11 points (6G / 5A) in 24 games but now he will be sidelined until mid-January. With Pulkkinen out, expect Tomas Jurco to get a permanent spot in the lineup. Detroit will likely recall another forward as well.

Neuvirth allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Flyers win over the Predators last Friday. Steve Mason started the last two games, but he has terrible numbers against the Devils, so Neuvirth goes tonight. Neuvirth has won his last two games while stopping 64 of the last 68 shots (.941 SV%). The NHL’s SV% leader should make for a great start.

Smith was yanked after allowing three goals on 16 shots in the Red Wings loss in Detroit last night. He let in a stinker from centre ice and that was the end of his evening. He’ll try to get back on track tonight in Buffao. Smith has allowed seven goals on the last 56 shots (.875 SV%) that he has faced. It is a solid matchup, but Smith remains a risky option.

Halak made 33 saves on 34 shots in the Islanders’ win over the Rangers on Wednesday. Thomas Greiss got the nod last night, so expect Halak to go tonight in Ottawa. Halak has gone 3-1-1 with a 2.00 GAA and .927 SV% in his last five starts and comes into play on Saturday with a 1-2-2 record, 1.76 GAA and .929 SV%on the road this season.

Johnson stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Sabres win in Nashville last Saturday. Linus Ullmark got the nod on Tuesday, but it will be Johnson tonight vs. the Coyotes. Johnson has played well as of late, winning two in a row while stopping 55 of 57 shots (.965 SV%). He draws a fantastic matchup tonight vs. a Coyotes team playing their second game in as many nights.

Tyutin appears close to be returning to the Blue Jackets lineup but tonight he will miss his sixth consecutive game with a broken nose. Monitor his status prior to Saturday’s contest.

Greiss allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Islanders win over the Avalanche on Monday. Greiss will start for the third time in four games, he comes in having won two in a row while posting a 2.50 GAA and .915 SV%. The matchup with the Blues is not a good one, but Greiss has already defeated St. Louis this season—he stopped 38 of 40 shots in an overtime win back in October.

Greening only played 4:00 in his season debut on Thursday. He has been sent back to the AHL which suggests that Mika Zibanejad could play on Saturday.

Jones gave up four goals on 28 shots in the Sharks loss to the Penguins on Tuesday. Since returning home after winning five straight on the road, Jones has lost two of three while posting a 3.37 GAA and .875 SV%. Thankfully for Jones owners the Sharks head on the road tonight, where he is 9-1-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .943 SV% this year. In two starts against the Ducks this season, Jones has gone 1-1-0 while allowing just one goal on 44 shots (.977 SV%).

Kulikov missed the last eight games with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to back in the lineup tonight in Columbus. Kulikov has just three assists in 17 games this season.

Montoya was taken out of the game due to injury on November 23rd. He stopped eight of nine shots before leaving the game, but it forced him to sit the last four games, including last night. Montoya comes into play with a 2-1-1 record, 2.39 GAA and .920 SV% on the season. The Blue Jackets comes into play having lost two in a row and have only scored six goals in their last four games.

Ramo allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Flames’ shootout win against the Stars on Tuesday. It was a surprising win, which is why the Flames will go back to Ramo tonight vs. the Bruins. Ramo has won three of his last five while posting a 2.33 GAA and .900 SV%. It isn’t pretty, but Ramo is getting it done, but draws a tough matchup with the high-scoring Bruins in down.

Schneider allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Devils loss to the Avalanche on Tuesday. Keith Kinkaid started last night in Carolina last night, but Schneider will go tonight vs. the Flyers. Schneider has lost three of his last four starts while posting a 1.96 GAA and .927 SV%. Schneider continues to play well, but the Devils only scored seven goals in front of him over that span. In his first start against Philly, he stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 4-1 win. However, the Flyers come in winners of three in a row.

Zajac left Thursday’s game in the first period and will not play tonight vs. the Flyers because of an undisclosed injury. With Zajac out, either Sergey Kalinin and Bobby Farnham to get back into the lineup.

Wilson missed Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Panthers. Wilson has just one goal and seven assists in 23 games this season.

Rinne stopped 13 of 15 shots in the Predators win over Arizona on Tuesday. It was an easy night for Rinne, who snapped a four-game losing streak in the process. Rinne has been much better at home than on the road this season. Tonight he faces the Panthers on home ice, where he is 8-1-2 with a 1.97 GAA, .924 SV% and two shutouts this season.

Lehtonen missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, but will be back in goal tonight. In his last start he turned aside 33 of 35 shots in the Stars win in Washington. He comes in having lost only once this season while posting a 2.41 GAA and .921 SV%. Tonight he is a must-start vs. a Canucks team that is having a really tough time right now.