NHL Hockey Player News

Enroth allowed four goals on 33 shots in a win over Bruins on Wednesday. He will get the call tonight, but will likely become the backup once Jaroslav Halak arrives in Buffalo.

Niemi stopped 19 of 21 shots in a win over the Blue Jackets in his final start before the break. He did not see any crease time in Sochi, but will hop back into the cage tonight vs. the Sabres. Niemi has been challenged for starts by Alex Stalock, and if Stalock continues to see starts, Niemi's value takes a hit.

There were rumours swirling around Girardi and possibly being dealt before the trade deadline. Girardi has tallied four goals and 13 assists (17 points) with a plus-4 rating in 60 games this season. Girardi's extension carries an AAV of $5.5 million US.

Koivu will miss his 17th straight game tonight. "Wait another day and get a good team practice on Sunda and then look at it again [for Calgary on Monday]," Koivu said. "It's getting better and it's pretty much the same story it's been this whole week. It's slowly getting there and getting more comfortable on skates, but it's still not quite where I want to be, especially battles and things like that.

Butler left Thursday's game after playing just 8:51 and did not return. Butler did not take part in Friday's practice and is likely to be replaced by Derek Smith tomorrow. Butler has two goals and eight assists (10 points) in 59 games.

Bryzgalov allowed two goals on 24 shots in a loss to the Devils before the break. Since signing with the Oilers, Bryz has gone 5-8-4 with a 3.07 GAA and .907 SV%. His name has surfaced in trade rumours with the trade deadline inching closer, so Saturday could potentially be his last start as an Oiler. He is 2-3-1 at Rexall Place this season.

Yakupov left Thursday's game with an ankle injury. X-rays on the ankle came back negative on Friday and he says that he does not know if he will play vs. Calgary tomorrow. Yakupov has two goals and four assists in his last nine games. Ales Hemsky will move to the top-line if Yak is not available.

Semin played just 4:21 before leaving the game and not returning. Semin was the only play who was not on the ice for the Hurricanes' practice this morning. His status for Saturday's afternoon (4:00 pm EST) game is uncertain. Monitor his status as puck-drop draws near tomorrow.

Bonino missed the last four games with an upper-body injury, but should be back in the lineup tonight. There is no official word on his status, but he has been on the ice with the Ducks as they prepare for their first game back from the Olympic break tonight vs. St. Louis. Bonino has been great this season, recording 16 goals and 24 assists (40 points) in 56 games.

Greiss stopped 25 of 28 shots in a loss to the Sabres on Jan 30. Mike Smith has started the last five straight games, including last night in the first game of a back-to-back set. Tonight Greiss will look for his second straight win over the Avalanche, he stopped 29 of 30 in a 3-1 win on Dec 10.

Tanev missed the last seven games with a thumb injury, but will return tonight vs. the Wild. There is no official word as to who will come out of the lineup for Tanev. The Canucks could elect to go with seven defensemen like they have many times this season. Tavev has 14 points (5G / 9A) with a plus-8 rating in 54 games this season.

Kesler was a full participant in Thursday's practice, so his return vs. the Wild was expected. Kesler missed one game with a hand injury, but will return tonight. He has become talks of a potential trade, so tonight could be his last home game as a Canuck. He is expected to centre Vancouver's second line.

Lack stopped all 20 shots in a 1-0 win over the Blues on Wednesday. Lack improved to 3-0-0 with a 0.97 GAA and .960 SV% against St. Louis this season. Tonight he will take on the Wild for the first time in his young career. Lack enters play 9-8-3 with a 2.11 GAA and .924 SV% on the season.

McQuaid is expected to miss his 11th and 12th games in a row when the Bruins take on the Capitals and Rangers on Saturday and Sunday.

Bolland will alert the Maple Leafs when he is ready to play, but he does not anticipate that will be tomorrow vs. Montreal. Bolland is definitely nearing a return, but we likely won't see him until Monday at the earliest. Monitor his status following Saturday's morning skate.

Berra turned aside 21 of 23 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Flyers in his last start before the break. Joni Ortio was given the start on Thursday (2-0 L) but the Flames will turn to Berra against the Oilers tomorrow. Berra is 1-2-0 with a 1.66 GAA and .938 SV% against Edmonton this season.

Hiller stopped 36 of 38 shots in a win over the Predators before the Olympic break. Tonight marks the Ducks' first game back since Sochi and it appears Hiller will get the call. Hiller had a strong Olympics with Switzerland and he will look to keep things rolling down the stretch as Anaheim nears the playoffs. Hiller enters play vs. the Blues tonight at 14-4-2 with a 2.03 GAA and .929 SV% at the Honda Center this season.

Despite surrendering five goals on 35 shots (2 SHG) in a 5-4 OT loss to the Tavares-less Islanders on Thursday, the Maple Leafs will turn to Bernier again on Saturday in a huge divisional clash with the Habs. Bernier did not look comfortable after the long layoff, which might be why head coach Randy Carlyle is going right back to him.

With Carey Price still sidelined with a lower-body injury, Budaj will make his third straight start tomorrow. Budaj allowed five goals on 32 shots, but walked away victorious in OT on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. In his last two starts he is 1-0-1 with a 3.26 GAA and .887 SV%. Tomorrow's tilt with the Maple Leafs is a big game for the Habs, who sit just two points up on Toronto in a tight Atlantic division race.

Niemi stopped 19 of 21 shots in a win over the Blue Jackets in his final start before the break. He did not see any crease time in Sochi, but will hop back into the cage tonight vs. the Sabres. Niemi has been challenged for starts by Alex Stalock, and if Stalock continues to see starts, Niemi's value takes a hit.