NHL Hockey Player News

Cole missed practice on Friday, but was on the ice for warmups, he is a late scratch, which means Travis Moen is in.

Varlamov gave up two goals on 38 shots in the Avs’ win over the Senators on Thursday. Varlamov has won two in a row while stopping 90 of 92 shots (.978 SV%). He will make his seventh straight start today—he is 4-2-0 with a 2.01 GAA and .950 SV% in the last six.

Lehtonen allowed three goals on 24 shots in the Stars loss to the Predators on Thursday. He has dropped two in a row while allowing eight goals on 62 shots (.871 SV%). Today he faces an Avalanche team who have won four of their last five.

Niemi was shelled for five goals on 21 shots in the Sharks 7-2 loss to the Blues on Thursday. That was the second time in less than a week that St. Louis beat Niemi and the Sharks 7-2. Things will not get any easier with the Rangers in town tonight.

Thornton missed the last four games with a shoulder injury that he suffered on New Years Eve vs. the Ducks. Thornton comes in on a five-game point streak—he has two goals, 10 assists (12 points) and a plus-4 rating in his last 12 games.

Higgins missed Thursday’s game with an illness, but he will be back in the lineup tonight vs. Calgary. Higgins has just one goal and one assist in his last 15 games.

Bellemore served as a healthy scratch on Thursday after J.M Liles return to the lineup, but Bellemore will get back in tonight vs. the Blues.

Prosser will return to the lineup after missing two games with an illness. He will be paired with Justin Falk on the Wild’s third-pair.

After missing two games to be with his ailing father, who passed away on Thursday, Parise will be back in the lineup this afternoon vs. the Predators. He will skate on the second line with Erik Haula and Thomas Vanek.

Backstrom turned aside 16 of 19 shots in Minnesota’s loss to the Blackhawks on Thursday. With Darcy Kuemper on IR he will make his second straight start as he searches for his first win since December 13th. Including that win, he has a 3.60 GAA and .878 SV% in his last six appearances (4 starts).

Rinne stopped 18 of 20 shots in the Predators win over the Stars on Thursday. It was his fourth consecutive win and league leading 27th of the season. He carries a 2.00 GAA and .929 SV% into Saturday’s matinee with the Wild. Minnesota has lost three straight while allowing an average of 5.00 goals per game.

Timonen has not played yet this season because of blood clots in his right leg and lungs. He will meet with doctors to determine whether or not he will be able to play again. The Flyers could certainly use the veteran blueliner back in their lineup.

Mason, who has been battling a lower-body injury lately, left this afternoon’s game less than eight minutes in. He made a right pad save and then went down in obvious pain as he tried to push-off. Mason was replaced by Ray Emery and he will likely miss some time.

Ward allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Hurricanes 5-2 win over the Sabres on Thursday. Ward will make his seventh start in the Hurricanes last eight games—he is 2-4-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .927 SV% in his last six.

Quick allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Kings loss to the Rangers on Thursday. He has dropped four of his last five games while allowing 13 goals on just 87 shots (.851 SV%). Things have not been easy for Quick lately, but he draws a solid matchup vs. a Jets team who have lost four of five as well.

Lazar will play in his first game since returning from the World Juniors. It will be his first NHL games since December 17th. He has one goal and six assists in 27 games this season.

Ellis was injured in Thursday’s game vs. the Stars and will miss at least the next five games. He will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break and then a more detailed timeline will be released. The Predators did not recall a defenseman from Milwaukee for today’s game, so Anton Volchenkov must be ready to return.

Ward allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Hurricanes 5-2 win over the Sabres on Thursday. It looks like Ward will make his seventh start in the Hurricanes last eight games—he is 2-4-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .927 SV% in his last six.

Eriksson missed Thursday’s game with a hand injury that he suffered on Wednesday vs. the Penguins. He is back in the lineup on the Bruins third line with Chris Kelly and Carl Soderberg. He has six goals and six assists (12 points) in his last 15 games.