NHL Hockey Player News

Sekac has been sidelined with a sprained ankle since November 1st, but returning to the ice on Monday is a good sign that Sekac is progressing towards a December return.

Lupul missed Sunday’s practice and is expected to be held out of Monday’s contest with an undisclosed injury. The Maple Leafs did not reveal the nature or severity of the injury, but it is not believed to be serious. Expect Daniel Winnik to replace Lupul.

Varlamov allowed three goals on 28 shots in Colorado’s win over Winnipeg on Saturday. Since returning from injury, Varlamov is 2-1-0 with a 2.96 GAA and .891 SV%. It hasn’t exactly been pretty for Varly, but the wins are all that matter to Patrick Roy. Varlamov will start in Brooklyn tonight, he is 2-2-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .927 SV% on the road this season.

Luongo allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Panthers win over the Islanders on Friday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Luongo, who will be making his seventh start on the road this season—in his first six road outings, the 36-year-old netminder is 1-3-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .914 SV%.

Sparks, 22, was the 190th overall pick in 2011, but has transformed himself into a top goalie prospect this season. Through 11 games with the Marlies, he has gone 8-2-1 with a 1.90 GAA and .938 SV%. With James Reimer out and Jonathan Bernier borderline unplayable, Sparks will make his NHL debut tonight vs. the Oilers.

Quick stopped 29 of 30 shots, but walked away on the wrong side of a 2-1 shootout final in Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Quick has gone 4-4-1 with a 2.51 GAA and .909 SV% in nine November starts. Tonight he will make his second start against the Blackhawks—he allowed four goals on 26 shots in a 4-2 loss in the first meeting.

Niemi allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Stars win over the Canucks last night. With Kari Lehtonen out and Niemi coming off of a strong game, it looks like he will start for the second straight evening. Niemi has gone 3-3-0 with a 2.55 GAA and .903 SV% in the month of November. Tonight he will take on a Wild team who has dropped five of their last six games.

Saros, 20, was the Predators fourth round pick (99th overall) in 2013. The 5-foot-11 netminder has gone 8-2-0 with a 2.40 GAA and .919 SV% 10 games into his first season with Milwaukee (AHL). Saros has spent the last two years in the SM-liiga, he was 13-18-16 with a 2.14 GAA and .929 SV% in 47 games with HPK Hameenlinna last year.

Nilsson allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Oilers loss in Carolina on Wednesday. Nilsson has lost four of his last five while posting a 2.61 GAA and .895 SV%. With Cam Talbot starting last night, Nilsson will go tonight in Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old netminder has gone 2-4-0 with a 2.50 GAA and .925 SV% on the road this season.

Bishop was brilliant on Wednesday, stopping 37 of 38 shots in the Lightning’s 2-1 shootout win over the Kings. Bishop has been fantastic recently, winning three in a row while allowing just two goals on 89 shots (.978 SV%). With Andrei Vasilevskiy starting last night, look for Bishop to go tonight vs. the Islanders.

Johnson stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Sabres win over the Hurricanes last night. Johnson has stopped 39 of the last 40 shots (.975 SV%) that he has faced. Despite Linus Ullmark taking over as the Sabres’ No. 1 briefly, Johnson’s recent string of strong play earns him starts on back-to-back nights.

Zatkoff allowed four goals on 37 shots in the Penguins loss in New Jersey on November 14th. Zatkoff has gone 2-1-0 with a 2.63 GAA and .934 SV% in three starts and one relief appearance this season. Zatkoff is a quality backup, who draws a strong matchup against the NHL’s last place team.