NHL Hockey Player News

Rask shut the door on all 26 shots that he faced in a 1-0 victory over the Sharks on Saturday. This is evidence that when an elite goalie like Rask is struggling, you can't panic and you run with your big guns. He had allowed 17 goals in his previous five starts, but that can be forgotten after a strong performance like he had on Saturday. Tonight he will face the Maple Leafs for the second time this season, he stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 3-1 win in November.

Rome has had a very difficult time staying healthy, but the Stars have some quality young defensemen that will step in while Rome is out.

Bowman did not practice this morning but could be available for the Hurricanes' contest on Saturday. He is not fantasy relevant, he averages just over 10 minutes a game and has just seven points (3G / 4A) in 42 games.

Dwyer did not practice this morning, but could still be available for the Hurricanes next game because they are off until Saturday. Despite averaging over 15 minutes a night this season, Dwyer has only 13 points (5G / 8A) in 43 games.

Varlamov stopped 25 of 27 shots in a win over the WIld on Saturday. The win was his 21st of the season which ties him with Carey Price for sixth in the NHL. Varly also ranks 16th in GAA (2.35) and 7th in SV% (.926). Tonight he takes on Chicago, he stopped 36 of 37 shots in a 5-1 win over the Hawks in their first meeting, he also stopped all 13 shots after replacing J.S Giguere in the third period of a 7-2 rout in late December. Overall he is 1-0-0 with a 0.75 GAA and .980 SV% vs. Chicago this season.

Hall was held out of practice on Monday and did not take part in this morning's optional skate, but he will play through his minor shoulder pain. He will skate on the top line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Sam Gagner.

Ribeiro left Monday's game after playing just 10:01 and could be held out of tonight's game. Ribeiro currently ranks second on the team with 33 points (11G / 21A) in 45 games. Monitor his status in pre-game warmups.

Getzlaf's presence at practice is a good sign that he will be available for Wednesday's game against the Canucks. Getzlaf missed Sunday's game against the Red Wings but appears to be set to return tomorrow. Getzlaf is currently riding a four-game point streak (3G / 3A) and has totalled 53 points (23G / 30A) in 44 games. Monitor his status during Wednesday's morning skate.

Smith gave up five goals on 38 in a 5-1 loss to the Jets last night. Smith's struggles continue, he has lost seven consecutive starts and has just one win in his last 10 starts while posting a 2.87 GAA and .903 SV%. Tonight he faces one of the NHL's best teams, so I would advise leaving him on your bench.

Jaskin has been recalled to play incase Vladimir Sobotka (flu) can not play tonight. Jaskin has recorded one goal in four games with the Blues this season.

Enroth stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Panthers on Thursday. With the Sabres playing in the first game of a back-to-back tonight, they will save Ryan Miller for the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Tonight he faces a Flyers team who have struggled in their last two games (0-2-0 while being outscored 10-4). Enroth enters play tonight with a 1-8-4 record to go along with a 2.46 GAA and .916 SV%.

Franzen's status for Thursday's game vs. the Rangers remains uncertain. Franzen has already missed 11 games after being concussed on December 15. The Red Wings are patiently waiting for Franzen, Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm to return, but it does not look like that will happen on Thursday.

The Penguins have said that this upper-body injury is not related to the one that kept him out in December. He has not been ruled out for Wednesday's game, but if he can't play it would leave an already shorthanded team even more depleted. Neal has registered seven goals and nine assists (16 points) in his last 11 games.

Stastny injured his leg on Saturday and did not skate today and won't play vs. the Blackhawks. The Avalanche will elect to go with seven defensemen with Stastny out. Consider him day-to-day.

Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said that Ian Cole has earned the right to stay in the lineup, so he has elected to scratch Leopold instead. Leopold has three assists and a plus-2 rating in four games since returning from a hand injury.

Ericsson said that he felt good after practice and is aiming to return on Saturday. Ericsson has had a strong season for the Red Wings and his return to the lineup would help solidify their blueline.

Visnovsky has been sidelined since October 19. There is still no timetable for his return, but his first skate is positive step for the veteran defenseman.

Kevin Poulin has filled in nicely for Nabokov and will continue to get starts while Nabby is sidelined. There is no timetable for his return.

Sobotka has been on fire lately, he has two goals and seven assists (nine points) in his last seven contests. Monitor his status in pre-game warmups.

Datsyuk is expected to miss his fifth straight game on Thursday. The worry about leaving practice early, is that Datsyuk may have aggrevated the injury. Monitor his status prior to Thursday's contest.