NHL Hockey Player News

Larsson has just one assist in 20 games with the Sabres this season, so he heads to the AHL where he has tallied nine points (2G / 7A) in 13 games for Rochester.

"We're not looking at what he can do now," said Sabres head coach Ted Nolan. "We're looking at what he can do down the road."The Sabres are not going anywhere this season, so going back to juniors is likely best for Grigorenko's development. He will likely shred the QMJHL when he returns, he posted 70 goals and 69 assists (139 points) in 92 career games during his first two seasons with Quebec.

Varlamov allowed two goals on 24 shots in a loss to the Islanders last night. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak, but he will get a chance to bounce back right away when he takes on the Wild tonight. Varly is 1-0-1 with a 1.38 GAA and .953 SV% against Minnesota this season.

Hodgson has missed the last nine games, but will return on Sunday when the Sabres travel to Washington. He will skate on the second line with Matt D'Agostini and Steve Ott as well as centring the first power-play unit. Hodgson has 19 points (8G / 11A) with a minus-10 rating in 33 games this season.

Kane should be considered day-to-day, monitor his status prior to Monday's game vs. the Coyotes. Eric O'Dell will replace him on the Jets' second line.

Mazanec allowed four goals on 28 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Ducks on Thursday. In Mazanec's last eight outings, he has allowed three-plus goals six times. Those are not numbers that you want on your fantasy team. Tonight the Predators welcome the Senators to Nashville, Mazanec is 5-6-1 with a 3.06 GAA and .896 SV% at home.

With Brett Sutter and Zach Boychuk being reassigned to Charlotte and only Riley Nash being activated off LTIR, it is a good sign that Staal will return to the lineup on Monday after missing the last four games.

Kane had been listed as doubtful for tonight's game, but leaving the morning skate early all but guarantees that he will not play tonight. Eric O'Dell is expected to fill his spot on the second line.

Thomas stopped 23 of 24 shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Sabres. The win moved Thomas to .500 on the season (11-11-2) to got along with his 2.60 GAA and .914 SV%. He draws a favourable matchup against New Jersey, they rank 26th in the NHL with 2.31 goals per game.

Mason stopped 19 of 20 shots in a win over the Canadiens on Wednesday. The win was Mason's 18th of the season and seventh in his last eight starts. We have not seen this Mason since his Calder Trophy winning season in 2008-09, but it exactly what the Flyers hoped when they acquired him last season. This afternoon he will take on the Lightning at home where he is 11-6-0 with a 2.12 GAA and .927 SV% this season.

Latta (lower-body) is currently on long-term injured reserve, so he will wait to return with Hershey. He has been out since December 15 with a lower-body injury.

Boychuk suited up for eight games during his call-up, he registered one goal and two assists in that span, including a two-point (1G /1A) game on Thursday vs. the Maple Leafs.

Sutter dressed in five of the Hurricanes last six games, he recorded one goal and one assist. he returns to Charlotte where he has tallied up 14 points (2G / 12A) in 22 games this season.

Nash has missed the last six games after suffering a lower-body injury on December 31. The 24-year-old bottom-6 forward has chipped in 10 points (4G /6A) in 36 games for the Hurricanes this season.

Reaves, 26, is in his fourth season with the Central-leading Blues and in 26 games, he's tallied two goals, three assists and 65 minutes in penalties. Reaves was drafted in the fifth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Redmond has appeared in three games with the Jets this season, he has been held off of the score sheet in all three contests. He has recorded 13 points (5G / 8A) in 17 games with the St. John's IceCaps. There is no word on whether or not he will draw in on the blueline on Saturday.

Gardiner served as a healthy scratch last night, but will draw in alongside Morgan Rielly tonight. Gardiner has one goal and one assist in his last 10 games and a total of 13 points (2G / 11A) in 43 games this season.

Howard was pulled after he allowed four goals on 23 shots in the first two periods of Thursday's 4-1 loss in San Jose. It has not been a pretty season for Howard, but he has an extremely banged up lineup playing in front of him, so it is not entirely his fault. On Saturday he meets the Kings for the first time this season, he was 2-1-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .950 SV% against last season.

Khudobin stopped 25 of 26 shots in a 6-1 blowout win over the Maple Leafs last night. He is now 4-0-0 with a 1.74 GAA and .950 SV% since returning from his ankle injury. He has been excellent and is making a case to remain the Hurricanes starter once Cam Ward returns from injury. He has a solid chance at his fifth consecutive win when he takes on the Blue Jackets tonight.

Lehtonen was excellent on Thursday stopping 33 of 34 shots, but was bested by Cory Schneider's 26-save shutout in the 1-0 loss. Tonight he will face the Rangers and their 24th ranked offence (2.40 G/PG).