NHL Hockey Player News

The Islanders have been very liberal in alternating goalies this season despite Sorokin seemingly returning to the form that made him a Vezina-trophy runner-up in the 2022-23 season. The 29-year-old Sorokin has been terrific to start the 2024-25 campaign, posting a dazzling 1.80 GAA and .932 SV%, but only has a 2-2-1 record to show for it. The Islanders rank worst in the league offensively, averaging only 2.2 goals per game, and enter the action on Friday as slight -104 road underdogs against the Buffalo Sabres.

Barzal played 22:46 time-on-ice in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, showing no signs of impairment, but is away from the team as he gets evaluated for an upper-body injury back in New York. After a stellar 2023-24 season, scoring 80 points (23G / 57A) in 80 games, Barzal has started the 2024-25 campaign slowly, with only five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games. At the Islanders' morning skate on Friday, Jean-Gabriel Pageau was in Barzal's usual spot, flanking Bo Horvat.

The Jets will likely give Connor Hellebuyck the night off on Friday and turn to Comrie between the pipes for his third start of the season. The 29-year-old Comrie has been serviceable in limited action this season, posting a respectable 3.00 GAA and .915 SV% through two contests (2-0-0). The Jets enter the action on Friday as -178 road favorites against a surprising Columbus Blue Jackets club (5-3-1) that ranks fifth-best in the league with a +10 goal differential.

The injury-depleted Avalanche, now without Matthew Stienburg due to a two-game suspension, have recalled another newcomer on Friday with the arrival of Prischepov. The 20-year-old Prischepov was a seventh-round pick of the Avalanche in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He has four points (1G / 3A) in six games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.

Tynan made his season debut on Wednesday, his first NHL game since the 2021-22 season, recording a -1 plus/minus in 8:36 time-on-ice. The 32-year-old Tynan has spent most of his career in the AHL and has four points (0G / 4A) in six games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.

Wiesblatt was the 31st overall pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old has not played an NHL game yet and has two points (0G / 2A) in six AHL games with the Milwaukee Admirals this season.

Shesterkin will attempt to snap a two-game losing streak when he returns to the crease for the Rangers on Friday night against the Ottawa Senators. The 28-year-old Shesterkin was busy in his last outing, saving a season-high 41 shots, but allowed four goals (.911 SV%) in the 5-3 losing effort against the Washington Capitals. The Rangers enter the action on Friday as -187 home favorites against the high-scoring Ottawa Senators (4.2 GF / GP).

Benson has not played the last three games due to a lower-body injury but is nearing a return after returning to practice on Friday. Benson has played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres before his injury, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus.

Ullmark has had an inconsistent start to his tenure as a Senator, partly derailed due to injuries, but was tremendous in his last outing, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in an 8-1 win over the St. Louis Blues and will likely return to the crease on Friday night against the New York Rangers. The Senators are sporting a 5-4-0 record and rank in the top five in the league offensively, averaging 4.2 goals per game. That said, the Senators enter the action on Friday as +170 road underdogs against a Rangers club with a 6-2-1 record.

After evenly alternating goalies for the first two weeks of the season, the Sabres settled into starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the last five games. That said, they will return to Levi between the pipes on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back. The 23-year-old Levi started the season strong in his first two outings before a disastrous performance, allowing six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, keeping him from occupying the net in two weeks. The Sabres enter the action on Friday as -111 home favorites against a New York Islanders club that has scored only 22 goals this season, tied for fewest in the league.

Rempe will return to being a healthy scratch on Friday as he will take a seat in favor of Jonny Brodzinski. The hard-hitting 22-year-old Rempe has been limited to only three games this season, averaging 5:26 time-on-ice, recording zero points, five penalty minutes, and six hits.

Matt Rempe will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Brodzinski to re-enter the lineup after a one-game absence. The 31-year-old Brodzinski is averaging 9:15 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in six games this season.

Voronkov suffered an upper-body injury in the Blue Jackets' preseason finale and has missed the first nine games of the season. The 24-year-old had a productive first NHL season, scoring 18 goals, 34 points and 52 PIMs as a rookie in 75 games played in 2023-24.

The Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins between the pipes for a third straight game on Friday. After not occupying the crease in four straight, Merzlikins has regained the faith of the Blue Jackets faithful after two incredible performances (2-0-0), saving a combined 57 of 58 shots (.983 SV%), including a 26-save shutout in his previous outing, a 2-0 win over the New York Islanders. That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets will be hard-pressed to extend their winning streak to three games, entering Friday's contest against the 9-1-0 Winnipeg Jets as +160 home underdogs.

After evenly alternating goalies for the first two weeks of the season, the Sabres settled into starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the last five games. That said, they will likely return to Levi between the pipes on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back. The 23-year-old Levi started the season strong in his first two outings before a disastrous performance, allowing six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, keeping him from occupying the net in two weeks. The Sabres enter the action on Friday as -111 home favorites against a New York Islanders club that has scored only 22 goals this season, tied for fewest in the league.

With Tomas Nosek (upper-body) ready to draw into the lineup and debut with the Panthers on Friday, Giles has been sent down to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). The 24-year-old Giles made his NHL debut with the Panthers this season but was held off the scoresheet in all nine games.

Dewar is eligible to play with the Marlies for six days and three games as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. Upon returning from the Marlies, Dewar will be in the mix to play on the Maple Leafs' fourth line moving forward. Dewar had five points (1G / 4A) in 17 games after being traded to Toronto last season.

Hakanpää is eligible to play with the Marlies for six days and three games as he works his way back from arthroscopic knee surgery. Upon returning from the Marlies, Hakanpää will be in the mix as the Maple Leafs' No.6 defenseman with Conor Timmins and Matt Benning.

Nosek missed the first 11 games of the season but will make his season debut Friday in Finland. Nosek, who had six points (2G / 4A) in 36 games last season, will centre the Panthers' fourth line with A.J. Greer and Mackie Samoskevich on his wings.

Oettinger stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Stars 4-2 win over the Blackhawks last Saturday. Oettinger has had an elite start to the 2024-24 season, going 5-1-0 with a 1.84 GAA, .938 SV% and one shutout in his first six outings. Friday's game in Finland is a coin-flip, with the Stars listed at -109.