NHL Hockey Player News

Emelin has not played in a game this season, but will be a welcomed addition to the Canadiens blueline. He could make his season debut tomorrow vs. St. Louis.

While Thomas has skated alone, he has yet to join his teammates and will not dress tomorrow vs. the Oilers. It will be the fifth straight game Thomas has missed with his leg injury. Consider him questionable for Thursday's contest vs. his former team, in Boston.

Ellerby was claimed off of waivers from Los Angeles on Saturday. The former 10th overall pick in 2007 has played 160 NHL regular season games with the Florida Panthers and the Kings. Ellerby has just two goals and 18 assists (20 points) in those 160 games- he isn't a fantasy worthy defenseman. He will be paired with Adam Pardy tonight.

Andersen allowed three goals on 21 shots in a win over the Blue Jackets on October 27. The win moved him to 3-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .944 SV% as he continues to fill in for the injured Viktor Fasth. He will face the Rangers and their 27th ranked offence tonight. On a quiet night in the NHL he would be the best spot start option.

Koivu will miss his fourth consecutive game tonight after being injured on a Brandon Dubinsky hit on October 27. He could return Wednesday vs. Phoenix or Friday against Buffalo.

Lecavalier missed Saturday's contest with a face contusion but will play on Tuesday vs. the Hurricanes with a face shield on. The longtime Lightning leads the Flyers in goals (5) and points (7).

With the injuries to key centres Dave Bollland and Tyler Bozak the Maple Leafs have shifted van Riemsdyk from the left-wing to the first line centre between Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. He has shown great chemistry with Kessel posting six goals and seven assists in 13 games. van Riemsdyk has never played centre in the NHL and only played it sparingly at the University of New Hampshire.

Montoya stopped 10 of 11 shots in a relief appearance vs. the Blackhawks on Saturday. Tonight will be Montoya's third start of the season. In his first two starts and Sunday's appearance he has a 1.57 GAA, .944 SV%. and one shutout. Tonight he has a tough matchup vs. a Red Wings team who have won all three games on their road trip.

It was reported that Kane was given a maintenance day on Sunday, but he was also absent from today's gameday skate. The Jets take on the Red Wings tonight, so Kane's absence likely suggests that he will not be in the lineup. Monitor his status prior to puck-drop.

Eriksson returned to practice late last week in a no-contact sweater. Today he was on the ice in a regular jersey, which is great news for the Bruins. Boston takes on Dallas tomorrow, Eriksson could be available. If he is not, Jordan Caron will play with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.

Boychuk left Thursday's game vs the Ducks early and missed Saturday's contest with the undisclosed injury. His return to practice is a good sign that Boychuk will be back on the blueline tomorrow vs. Dallas.

Spooner had an assist in each of the two games after being recalled last week. He returns to Providence where he has two goals and five assists in eight games.

Bennett has missed the last 10 games with a lower-body injury. He started to practice last week, but with the Penguins back-to-back on Friday and Saturday he was unable to skate with the team. Consider him questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Rangers. Keep in mind Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma said Bennett would likely skate on the third line when he returns.

Prior to today all we knew about Bozak's injury was that it was lower-body. Hamstring injuries can be very touchy so the Maple Leafs will take their time with Boazk. He is not eligible to return until November 19.

Bolland is out indefinitely. He will miss an extended period of time and likely won't be back before the Olympic break.

Callahan returned to practice last week and will play tonight after missing the last seven games with a broken thumb. His original timetable was 3-4 weeks, but tonight will mark the 2 and a half weeks point. The early return is great news for a Rangers team who are struggling to find offence.

Lundqvist allowed one goal on 28 shots in his third strong outing in a row. Since returning from the minor injury he had, Lundqvist is 2-1-0 with a 1.02 GAA and .964 SV% - and it appears as if his buy-low window is closing. He has a tough matchup tonight with the Ducks coming to Madison Square Garden.

Prust's original timetable had him returning in late November, but a skate on November 4 is a positive sign he is on track to be back sooner. Prust has missed the Habs last seven games, we know he will be nearing a return when he skates with the team.

Briere has been out of the Canadiens lineup since October 19 with a concussion. According to TSN this is Briere's third diagnosed concussion, so the Habs will be playing it safe with Briere's return. He had one goal and two assists in eight games before being sidelined.

Moen was back on the ice with his teammates for the first time since suffering a facial fracture on October 26. The original timetable for his return was one week, so he could return tomorrow vs. St. Louis but consider him questionable.