NHL Hockey Player News

Crawford was injured on what appeared to be a relatively easy save, but appeared to be in a lot of pain following the pad stop. He had to be helped off of the ice and was replaced by Antti Raanta. Judging by the amount of pain Crawford appeared to be in, you have to fear that it could be serious injury. The Blackhawks are already without goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, so Raanta would take over as the team's number-1 should Crawford miss an extended period of time. Expect an update after the game and tomorrow.

Luongo stopped 37 of 39 shots in a win over the Coyotes on Friday. The win was his 13th of the season and third in his last four starts. He will take on a talented Avalanche team tonight in Vancouver. In 14 starts at home Luongo is 6-5-3 with a 2.12 GAA and .920 SV%.

Mark Fraser will once again be scratched as Phaneuf will play. This is great news for the Maple Leafs who could not afford to lose anyone else to injury, especially not their captain and big minute eating defenseman.

Phaneuf took two line rushes before departing for the dressing room. It looks like he is doubtful to play tonight. Phaneuf reportedly blocked a shot last night and left briefly but was able to finish the game.

Bernier allowed two goals on 50 shots in a win over the Stars on Thursday. He continues to see a ton of rubber on a nightly basis, he has seen an average of 45.6 shots in his last three starts. He will go up against a Bruins team who lost three starters in last night's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Johnson allowed one goal on just 14 shots in a win over the Blue Jackets on November 30. He will get the start tonight in Toronto vs. the Maple Leafs. It is not an ideal spot-start matchup.

Clemmensen gave up one goal on nine shots in a relief effort of Tim Thomas on Novemeber 30. He will give Thomas a rest tonight as he has started the previous 14 games. He has a terrible spot-start matchup vs. Chicago.

Just as I thought, the Avalanche will go back to Giguere after he led them to a win on Friday and Semyon Varlamov allowed eight goals on Thursday. Giguere will look to move to 8-0-0 on the season when he takes on the Avalanche tonight. Of his seven wins, five of them have come on the road along with a 1.73 GAA and .945 SV%.

Lupul skated in the Maple Leafs optional skate this morning suggesting that he is nearing a return, but it won't be tonight. His next chance to return will be Wednesday vs. the Kings.

Lecavalier had reportedly been dealing with back spasms, but after returning to Philadelphia to be re-evaluated, a non-displaced fracture was discovered. The Flyers are not sure who will be recalled and will decide later tonight. Expect Michael Raffl to stay on the second line while Vinny is out.

There is still no word on whether or not Staal suffered a concussion but he will be monitored closely by doctors over the next few days. Michael Del Zotto will enter the lineup with Staal out. Consider him questionable for Tuesday vs. Nashville.

Grubauer made nine saves in a relief effort on Tuesday, but has not made a start for the Capitals this season. In nine starts with Hershey (AHL) he was 4-4-1 with a 2.60 GAA and .910 SV%. He faces a Rangers team who are coming off of a loss to the Devils last night.

Holtby stopped 34 of 36 shots in a win over the Predators last night. Should he get the call tonight it would be his second of the season against the Rangers. In the first contest he gave up two goals on 38 shots as the Caps were shutout 2-0.

Varlamov allowed eight goals on 28 shots in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Oilers. He was not pulled because J.S Giguere was scheduled to start the following day. He will be back in the cage tonight at Vancouver, a tough matchup for Varly who has been wildly inconsistent as of late.

Luongo stopped 37 of 39 shots in a win over the Coyotes on Friday. The win was his 13th of the season and third in his last four starts. He will take on a talented Avalanche team tonight in Vancouver. In 14 starts at home Luongo is 6-5-3 with a 2.12 GAA and .920 SV%.

Kelly is expected to miss four to six weeks. Ryan Spooner and Matt Fraser have been recalled from Providence.

Fraser is in his first year with the Bruins organization after spending 2011-13 with the Dallas Stars. In 23 games with Providence he has 16 goals and five assists (21 points). He will make his Bruins debut tonight vs. Toronto, in 13 career NHL games he has on goal and two assists.

In two games with the Bruins this season Spooner has two assists. While with Providence he has recorded 24 points (5G / 19A) in 21 games. He will slide right into the lineup tonight vs. Toronto.

McQuaid has missed the last two games and this move allows the Bruins to recall a forward that they so desperately need after losing Chris Kelly, Loui Eriksson and Shawn Thornton last night. He is eligible to return whenever he is healthy so consider him questionable for Tuesday.

Bernier allowed two goals on 50 shots in a win over the Stars on Thursday. He continues to see a ton of rubber on a nightly basis, he has seen an average of 45.6 shots in his last three starts. He will go up against a Bruins team who lost three starters in last night's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.