NHL Hockey Player News

Howard was yanked after allowing three goals on six shots in the Red Wings loss to New Jersey last Tuesday. Petr Mrazek has started the last two games, but it will be Howard in Winnipeg tonight. He has not won a game since December 3rd and sits 1-0-3 with a 2.70 GAA and .921 SV% in the month of December. He will make his sixth road start of the year and has gone 2-0-3 away from home.

Mrazek turned aside 24 of 26 shots in the Red Wings 3-2 win over the Predators on Saturday. Mrazek continues to outperform Jimmy Howard and comes into Monday with a 5-2-0 record, 2.50 GAA and .908 SV% in December. He draws a tough assignment tonight in Minnesota—the Wild are tied for seventh in the NHL in goals for on home ice; scoring 3.00 per game.

Nilsson allowed five gaols on 29 shots in the Oilers loss in Colorado on December 19th. Cam Talbot has started the last two contests, but Nilsson will be between the pipes in Calgary. Nilsson has gone 3-7-0 with a 2.68 GAA and .914 SV% on the road this season.

Lundqvist made 17 saves on 19 shots in the Rangers win over the Ducks last Tuesday. The win snapped a three-game losing skid for Lundqvist, who has had a tough month—3-4-1, 3.16 GAA, .895 SV% in December. The Christmas break couldn’t have come at a better time for Lundqvist, who will face the Predators for the second time this year; he posted a 31-save shutout in the first meeting.

Bishop allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Lightning’s 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Bishop picked up where he left off before the Christmas break and is now 6-3-0 with a 1.92 GAA and .929 SV% in December. Tonight he will face a sliding Canadiens team on home ice—Bishop is 9-6-1 in 16 starts on home ice so far this season.

Ramo stopped 19 of 20 shots in the Flames win over the Jets on Tuesday. The win snapped a two-game losing skid for Ramo, who has gone 6-2-0 with a 2.23 GAA and .923 SV% in December. Tonight will be his second start of the season against the Oilers—he allowed four goals on 23 shots in a 5-4 win back in October.

Lack gave up four goals on 31 shots in the Hurricanes loss in Philadelphia on December 15th. Cam Ward started the last four games, including last night, so Lack will go tonight in Chicago. Lack has gone 2-2-1 with a 3.41 GAA and .878 SV% in December. He has been largely ineffective in his first season with Carolina and he should be avoided against the Hawks.

Hellebuyck was yanked after allowing three goals on 14 shots in the Jets loss in Edmonton on Monday. It was a rough outing for the young netminder, who has posted a 2.41 GAA and .916 SV% in eight games since being recalled. Tonight he will face a Penguins team that has won two in a row after losing their five previous games.

Elliott surrendered two goals on 38 shots in the Blues win over the Flames on December 19th. Jake Allen started last night, so Elliott will go tonight in Dallas. Elliott has gone 3-2-1 with a 2.64 GAA and .904 SV%, but should be avoided tonight because of the horrible matchup with the NHL’s highest scoring offence.

Luongo made 15 saves in the Panthers shootout win over the Senators on Tuesday. It was an easy night for Luongo, who has now won four in a row while posting a 1.44 GAA and .944 SV%. Luongo has been streaky this season, but it has been more good than bad—he should make for a strong start against the last place Blue Jackets who are on the tail end of a back to back.

Crawford allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Blackhawks loss in Dallas on Tuesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Crawford, who has now gone 7-3-1 with a 1.72 GAA and .944 SV% in the month of December. Crawford will make his 18th home start of the season, where he is an impressive 12-4-1 on the year.

Greiss allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Islanders loss in Colorado on December 17th. Jaroslav Halak has started three of the last four games, but will miss tonight’s game due to injury, so Greiss will start vs. the Maple Leafs. Greiss has gone 5-2-2 with a 2.05 GAA and .931 SV% on home ice this season.