NHL Hockey Player News

Bennett was listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday’s game but after participating in the morning skate, Bennett was announced good-to-go for Tuesday’s meeting with the Capitals.

Niemi surrendered six goals on 28 shots in the Stars loss in Colorado on October 10th. Kari Lehtonen started the last three games, but Niemi will get back in goal tonight in Philadelphia. His first two starts with Dallas could not have been more opposite. Tonight gives him a nice chance to right the ship—he has a 1.83 GAA and .936 SV% in his career vs. Philly.

Luongo allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Panthers loss to the Stars on Saturday. Luongo has alternated wins and losses in four starts this season—but he has been rock solid, posting a 1.77 GAA and .948 SV% thus far. Tonight he will face a Penguins offence that is struggling to find the back of the net, but given their history, this still isn’t an ideal matchup.

Bartley will get into the lineup for the first time this season because Ryan Ellis is out with a knee injury. Bartley is not known for his offence having registered just 23 points (1G / 22A) in 111 career NHL games.

Hedman missed Saturday’s game after suffering an apparent head injury in Thursday’s loss to Dallas. However, his availability for the morning skate and recent practices suggests he will play tonight.

Bernier gave up two goals on 33 shots in the Maple Leafs 2-1 loss to the Penguins on Saturday. It was a strong outing for Bernier, who struggled in his first two starts of the season. He will get his fourth start of the year tonight in Buffalo—the Sabres have been held to two or fewer goals in four of their first five games.

Glass has served as a healthy scratch in the last three games and has been placed on waivers likely with the intent of sending him to Hartford (AHL).

Keith only missed two games last season and has missed a total of only 19 games over the last nine seasons. This is a tough blow for a thin Blackhawks blueline, who already said they were in the market for another veteran defenseman. Keith was averaging 24:21 TOI so there is a lot of ice time to be had now. Veterans Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Trevor Daley will be leaned on heavily with Keith out. Keith is expected to be sidelined until mid-to-late November and could even be out until early December.

Niemi surrendered six goals on 28 shots in the Stars loss in Colorado on October 10th. Kari Lehtonen started the last three games, but Niemi will get back in goal tonight in Philadelphia. His first two starts with Dallas could not have been more opposite. Tonight gives him a nice chance to right the ship—he has a 1.83 GAA and .936 SV% in his career vs. Philly.

Smith surrendered five goals on 43 shots in the Coyotes loss to the Bruins on Saturday. After starting the season 3-0, Smith has now lost back-to-back starts while giving up eight goals on 60 shots (.867 SV%). However, he has a chance to get back on track tonight as he draws a great matchup vs. the anemic Devils.

Atkinson has one goal and two assists but he is a minus-7 through six games this season. The Blue Jackets coaching staff wants more out of Atkinson which is why he will sit tonight in favour of David Clarkson.

Mrazek allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Red Wings loss in Edmonton on Wednesday. Mrazek has allowed three goals in each of his three starts this season and has lost each of his last two. His .922 SV% is strong, but the Red Wings are being outshot on a regular basis. He will look to get them back into the win column tonight in Vancouver.

Howard allowed five goals on 36 shots in the Red Wings loss to the Hurricanes last Friday. It was a rough outing for Howard, who won his first two starts of the season. Petr Mrazek started the last two games, but the Red Wings will go back to Howard tonight in Calgary. It is a strong matchup—the Flames have registered just 2.00 goals per game in their first six contests.

Halak allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Islanders win over the Sharks in his season debut. Halak will make his second straight start tonight against a struggling Blue Jackets team in Columbus. A season ago, Halak was 16-7-2 with a 2.39 GAA and .913 SV% on the road.

McElhinney allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Blue Jackets loss to the Blackhawks on Saturday. With Sergei Bobrovsky struggling out of the gate, McElhinney will make his second straight start tonight vs. the Islanders. McElhinney has gone 3-1-0 with a 2.68 GAA and .924 SV% vs. the Isles.

Sprong is stuck in Canada trying to extend his work VISA so he will be held out of tonight’s game vs. the Panthers. Unless Pascal Dupuis makes a surprise return to the lineup, look for him to be replaced by Bobby Farnham.

O’Neill sat as a healthy scratch on Sunday but will get back into the lineup on Tuesday vs. Arizona. O’Neill has just one shot on goal while averaging 8:13 TOI through three games with New Jersey.

Fleury allowed one goal on 27 shots in the Penguins 2-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. Fleury has now won two in a row and sits at 2-3-0 with a 1.83 GAA and .937 SV% in five starts. The wins should start to flood in when the Penguins finally find their offence.

Shattenkirk has missed the last three games and will probably miss his fourth straight tonight, but the fact that he has skated for three straight days and participated in the morning skate on Tuesday is a good sign that he isn’t far from a return.

Wennberg has missed the last five games with a concussion, but it appears he will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Islanders. Wennberg will centre the Blue Jackets’ second line between Brandon Saad and Scott Hartnell. The former 1st round pick has offensive upside and his new line mates could bring it out of him.