NHL Hockey Player News

Nelson continues to shuffle in and out of the Islanders lineup. He played 13:41 and was a minus-1 with three shots on goal vs. the Red Wings last night.

The Islanders are hoping that the night off helps spark some offence in Bailey who has just two assists in 13 games in November. He has four goals and 10 points in 25 games on the season, but the Isles are looking for more from a forward who plays in the top-6 on a nightly basis. Brock Nelson comes out of the lineup in favour of Bailey.

Thomas gave up four goals on 21 shots in a loss to the Rangers on Wednesday. It was a tough outing for the veteran netminder who has now allowed at least three goals in six of his last 10 starts. Tonight he faces the always dangerous Penguins, a matchup you should stay away from.

Nilsson made a relief appearance last Saturday where he allowed one goal on 13 shots in a period and a half. It will be his first NHL start since the 2011-12 season where he was 1-2-0 with a 2.75 GAA and .910 SV%. Kevin Poulin is struggling mightily right now, so a strong outing from Nilsson tonight could go a long way in earning starts down the road.

Nilsson made a relief appearance last Saturday where he allowed one goal on 13 shots in a period and a half. It will be his first NHL start since the 2011-12 season where he was 1-2-0 with a 2.75 GAA and .910 SV%. Kevin Poulin is struggling mightily right now, so a strong outing from Nilsson tonight could go a long way in earning starts down the road.

The Stars are expected to provide an update on the nature and the severity of the break later today, but for now consider him out indefinitely. Expect Kevin Connauton or Aaron Rome to fill the void on the blueline.

Varlamov gave up three goals on 34 shots in a loss to the Blues on Wednesday. Varlamov looked solid in the final 40 minutes after giving up three goals in the first period. Tonight he faces a Wild team who have scored just two goals in their last three games.

Latta has played in 16 games with the Capitals this season, recording one goal and three assists while averaging 7:52 TOI. His return to the AHL means that Jay Beagle should stay in the lineup tonight and either Brooks Laich or Martin Erat will slide back in.

Orlov has been recalled on numerous occasions this season, but has yet to make an appearance on the Capitals blueline. He has three goals and nine points in 11 games with Hershey.

Grubauer is 4-4-1 with a 2.60 GAA and a .910 SV% with Hershey this season. He made two NHL appearances last season going 0-1-0 with a 3.57 GAA and .915 SV%. With Michal Neuvurth going down with a lower-body injury last night and Braden Holtby making the start, Grubauer could be in line to start tonight vs. the Islanders.

With Zach Parise making a miraculous return to the lineup tonight, Fontaine takes a seat. Fontaine has six goals and one assist in with a plus-7 rating in 26 games this season.

Parise's original timetable for his return was 2-3 weeks, but he didn't even miss two games. He will suit up tonight and skate on the top line with Charlie Coyle and Mikko Koivu. Parise has 11 goals and 22 points in 25 games.

Harding will be back in the cage tonight after missing the last three games with a lower-body injury. He has been a fantasy stud this season, with a 13-3-2 record, 1.48 GAA and .939 SV%. He draws a tough matchup vs. the Avalanche tonight, but he is 10-0-0 with a 1.15 GAA and .948 SV% at home.

Parise was expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a foot contusion, but almost played on Wednesday and could play tonight. The WIld will jump on the ice for warmups at 5:30 pm EST where we will find out for sure if Parise will play.

Neuvirth suffered a lower-body injury in warmups, before even taking any shots. The Capitals are back in action tomorrow, he could potentially play tomorrow if the injury is not serious. Expect an update after the game.

Holtby allowed five goals on 40 shots in a loss to the Senators on Wednesday. Things were going well through the first two weeks of November but he has now lost three straight while allowing a combined 10 goals. With Michal Neuvirth getting injured in warm-ups, Holtby gets a crack at the Habs.

Bernier was tagged for five goals on 47 shots in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Penguins on Wednesday. It was a rough night for Bernier who was unable to preserve a 4-1 second period lead after the Maple Leafs got into penalty trouble. It would be his first start of the season vs. the Canadiens.

Bailey has four goals and six assists in 25 games, however he has just two assists and a minus-3 rating in 13 games in November. Bailey has 11 goals and eight assists in 38 games last season, so he has clearly taken a step back to begin the season.

Fratting has missed the last three games, but could return on Saturday. The Kings are off on Friday so they will have a morning skate where Frattin will be evaluated and a decision will be made then.

Weber was hit close to his eye in Thursday's loss to the Oilers. The Predators are going to wait unti Saturday before they decide if he can play. It was a scary looking incident so it is good that he is labeled as just day-to-day.