NHL Hockey Player News

Bernier stopped 23 of 25 shots in the Maple Leafs 3-1 loss in New York last night. Mike Babcock called it Bernier’s best game of the season, which is why he gets the call again tonight vs. his former teammate Phil Kessel and the Penguins. Bernier stopped 31 of 33 shots in a 2-1 loss in his first start against the Penguins this season (Oct 17th.)

Fontaine will be out for at least a couple of weeks after suffering a lower-body injury on a knee-on-knee collision with Andrew Desjardins. With Fontaine out, the Wild have recalled Jordan Schroeder.

Hossa left Friday’s game with a lower-body injury, but the Blackhawks said the injury is not believed to be serious. Monitor his status heading into next week.

Tlusty is questionable with an upper-body injury. If he is unable to play, look for Bobby Farnham to make his Devils’ debut.

Ramo went 0-3-0 with a 4.38 GAA and .879 SV% in three starts with the Flames before being placed on waivers and sent to Stockton (AHL). In Stockton, he only played one period, stopping all six shots he faced. With Jonas Hiller getting injured earlier in the week, Ramo is back with the Flames and will look to right the ship tonight in Edmonton.

Allen stopped 22 of 23 shots that he faced in the Blues 2-1 win over the Ducks on Thursday. Allen has won two in a row while only giving up one goal on 49 shots (.980 SV%) which has earned him his third straight start tonight vs. the Wild. Minnesota comes in tied for fifth in the NHL in scoring, averaging 3.30 goals per game.

Schneider made 27 saves on 28 shots in the Devils 4-1 win in Philadelphia on Thursday. Schneider has been red-hot as of late, winning five of his last six starts and posting a 2.30 GAA and. 911 SV% in the process. He draws a tough matchup tonight vs. the 6-2-2 Islanders who average 3.30 goals per game (t-5th in the NHL.)

Grubauer allowed four goals on 23 shots in the Capitals win in Edmonton last Friday. It wasn’t a pretty performance, but the offence was able to do enough to earn him his first ‘W’of the season. On Saturday he takes on a solid Panthers team, but they will be without two of their top guns (Barkov & Jagr).

Mrazek made 18 saves on 20 shots in the Red Wings loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. Jimmy Howard got the nod last night on home ice, so Mrazek will take the second game of the home-and-home series tonight in Ottawa. Mrazek has one two of his five starts while posting a 2.61 GAA and .922 SV%. Goaltending has not been the issue for the Red Wings—the scoring needs to pick up.

Darling allowed four goals on 24 shots in the Blackhawks’ loss in Washington back on October 15th. He has only appeared in two games this season, going 1-1-0 with a 2.51 GAA and .906 SV%. He is expected to make start No. 3 of the season tonight in Minnesota. The Wild currently rank eighth in the NHL with 3.11 goals per game.

Ward stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Hurricanes win in Detroit on Tuesday. Ward comes into play on Friday with a 3-4-0 with a 2.28 GAA and a. 908 SV%. He draws a strong match up vs. the Avalanche.

Bachman will make his Canucks debut tonight vs. the Coyotes—the 28-year-old has spent the first five years of his career with the Stars and Oilers. Last season he was 3-2-0 with a 2.84 GAA and .911 SV%. He has posted a 17-14-2 record with a 2.93 GAA and .904 SV% in 30 starts and 12 relief appearances in his NHL career.

Smith allowed six goals in the Coyotes’ 6-0 loss in Boston on Wednesday. It was Smith’s second game in as many nights so it is hard to fault him. Smith Has posted a 2.97 GAA and .908 SV% in nine starts this season—he comes in having lost five of his last six and makes for a risky start tonight vs. Vancouver.

Condon allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Canadiens win in Buffalo last Friday. Carey Price will obviously get the large majority of the starts this season, but Condon has proven he can be a serviceable spot-start when called upon. He has stopped 54 of 57 shots (.947 SV%) this season and draws a strong spot-start matchup tonight.

Anderson allowed four goals on 38 shots in the Senators win over the Flames on Wednesday. With Andrew Hammond starting last night in Detroit, Anderson is expected to get the nod tonight when the Senators host the Red Wings. Anderson has actually been much better on the road early in the season—he comes in at 1-1-1 with a 3.17 GAA and .886 SV% on home ice.