NHL Hockey Player News

Elliott allowed two goals on 27 shots after replacing the injured Jake Allen in the Blues’ shootout loss to the Ducks last night. Elliott has not recorded a win since December 19th. He has not had a lot of work this season, starting just 12 games and appearing in relief four time. Overall, he is 5-4-4 with a 2.44 GAA and .916 SV% on the season and will be in thought tonight in Los Angeles.

In December, there appeared to be hope for McDavid to return in early January, but the Oilers will play it safe with their future superstar and hold him out of the lineup for the remainder of January. He could travel with the Oilers on their upcoming road trip to practice with the team, but don’t expect to see him in the lineup until early February.

Binnington, 22, has gone 8-6-2 with a 2.57 GAA and .910 SV% with Chicago (AHL) this season. With Jake Allen (undisclosed) not available for Saturday, the Blues have recalled Binnington to serve as Brian Elliott’s backup on Saturday. If Allen’s injury is longterm, Binnington could make his NHL debut next week.

Scheifele was not at Saturday’s practice because of an undisclosed injury and because the Jets have an afternoon game, they will not have a morning skate, so Schiefele will be a game-time decision. Monitor his status around 1 p.m ET when Paul Maurice meets with the media or at 2:30 p.m ET when the Jets hit the ice for warmups.

Blandisi has seven goals and 15 assists (22 points) in 24 games with Albany this season. The 2012 sixth round pick had no points in three games during his first call-up. He is expected to play on Sunday after Jiri Tlusty was moved to IR on Saturday.

Tlutsty left Friday’s game with an undisclosed injury and did not return. His injury must be serious, because he was immediately placed on IR and Joseph Blandisi has been recalled. Tlusty will be out until at least next Friday.

Kuemper missed the last seven games with a concussion, but has been cleared to serve as Devan Dubnyk’s backup tonight. The Wild have a Saturday-Sunday back-to-back, so Kuemper could start the tail-end of the set tomorrow.

Rask gave up three goals on 29 shots in the Bruins loss to the Capitals on Tuesday. Jonas Gustavsson started last night, so it should be Rask tonight in Ottawa. He has lost four of his last five starts and is 1-1-0 with a 2.52 GAA and .906 SV% in two starts vs. the Senators this season—he also comes in at 7-2-2 with a 1.85 GAA and .939 SV% on the road.

Korpisalo hasn’t started since December 26th, when he allowed four goals on 18 shots in a loss in Tampa Bay. With Anton Forsberg starting last night and losing, look for Korpisalo to get back between the pipes tonight. He has posted a 3.65 GAA and .886 SV% in five games this season.

Quick made 25 saves on 26 shots in the Kings 2-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday. Make that six straight victories for Quick, who has posted a 1.33 GAA, .955 SV% and one shutout during his winning streak. Tonight he faces the Blues at the STAPLES Center—he is 12-6-0 with a 2.16 GAA and .915 SV% on home ice this season.

Dubnyk gave up four goals on 36 shots in the Wild’s loss to the Flyers on Thursday. Dubnyk has gone 0-1-1 with a 3.46 GAA and .897 SV% against the Stars this season—the NHL’s highest scoring team. He has also gone 6-6-3 with a 2.58 GAA and .916 SV% on the road this year.

Domingue stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Coyotes victory in Calgary on Thursday. He has won two in a row and three of his last four starts. Since being recalled, the 23-year-old netminder has been great for Arizona. He has gone 5-2-2 with a 2.31 GAA and .930 SV%. On Saturday, Domingue draws a strong matchup vs. a Predators team that has lost four of five and come in on the tail end of a back-to-back.

Fleury allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Penguins 3-1 loss to the Blackhawks on Wednesday. Since returning to the Penguins crease on January 2nd, Fleury has won one of three starts while posting a 2.29 GAA and .934 SV%. On Saturday, Fleury will make his third start vs. Montreal—he has gone 1-1-0 with a 2.95 GAA and .908 SV% in the first two games.

The Wild signed the University of Minnesota product last season and he has picked up 18 points (5G / 13A) in 32 games with Iowa (AHL) this season. He will make his NHL debut on the Wild’s third D-pair with Jonas Brodin as his partner. His offensive ability could see him playing a bit of power-play in his debut, but head coach Mike Yeo did not confirm that.

Mason allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Flyers win in Minnesota on Thursday. It was a win for Mason, he has now allowed at least three goals in four straight games and today he will face an Islanders team that he is 0-1-0 with a 3.73 GAA and .889 SV% in their first two games.

Foligno left Friday’s game with an upper-body injury that he suffered when he was hit hight by Hurricanes’ forward Brad Malone. He looked dazed, so the immediate concern was a concussion and his movement to IR suggests that could be the case. With Foligno out, the Blue Jackets have recalled Kerby Rychel from Lake Erie (AHL).

Rychel continues to be the Blue Jackets favourite call-up. The 21-year-old, former first round pick, has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 21 games with Lake Erie this season. In 11 games with the Blue Jackets, he has picked up three assists. He is expected to skate on the third line as he replaces Nick Foligno (upper-body) in the lineup.

Foligno left Friday’s game after catching a hit to the head from Hurricanes’ forward Brad Malone. Foligno appeared to be dazed, so the immediate concern is that he suffered a concussion. Continue to monitor his status as game-time approaches.

Niemi allowed six goals on 29 shots in the Stars loss in New York on Tuesday. Kari Lehtonen started and won on Thursday, but it looks like the Stars will go back to Niemi tonight against the Wild. Niemi has faced them twice this season, going 2-0-0 with a 2.08 GAA and .930 SV% in those two meetings.