NHL Hockey Player News

Fisher is not on the road trip with the Predators. Watson will replace him, no word on how it will affect the lines yet.

Predators head coach Barry Trotz announced yesterday that Rinne will very likely start every game for the rest of the season. He played very well yesterday, stopping 29 of 30 shots he faced. However the Preds offense couldn't get one passed Ray Emery and lost 1-0. Rinne will face the Hawks again today.

Brodeur allowed two goals on 18 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs last night. He has now lost six straight games. He has a pretty good matchup against the Vanek-less Sabres.

Bishop allowed three goals on 27 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Islanders last night. He will get the his third start in four days tonight against the Capitals. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have been firing on all cylinders lately, so be wary of the matchup.

Miller has started April off on the right foot, going 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .947 SV% in his first two starts this month. He has a solid matchup against a Devils team who is struggling without Ilya Kovalchuk. New Jersey has lost six in a row.

Rolston still believes Vanek could return Tuesday in Winnipeg.

Sheahan will make his Red Wings debut this season and it will be his second career NHL game. He has 35 points in 67 AHL games this season.

Kris Russell will play at forward in McDonald's place.

Russell has been a healthy scratch in the last two games, but it looks like he will play at wing today with McDonald out.

No word on why McDonald is not on the ice. It does not appear as if he will play this afternoon.

Lupul was on this ice for the Maple Leafs optional skate this morning, but left after just 10 minutes. There is still no word on what he is dealing with, but the fact that he was on the ice is a positive sign. However leaving so early suggests he is not quite right.

Baertschi has 10 goals and 16 assists in 32 AHL games this season. He has just one assist in 10 games with the Flames this season.

On Friday, when Kelly skated for the first time with the team, coach Claude Julien indicated his status was "day to day."

Seguin, who had been switched from wing to center Brad Marchand and Jaromir Jagr when Patrice Bergeron was injured, was dropped down to the third line with Paille, and Gregory Campbell was promoted to center Marchand and Jagr on the second line.

Watson, 21 (1/13/92), leads the Admirals and ranks fifth among American Hockey League rookies in goals (20), in addition to ranking second on Milwaukee in points (36) in 2012-13. During a decorated junior career from 2008-12, the Ann Arbor, Mich., native won a pair of OHL titles (2009 and 2012) and a Memorial Cup (2009).

Elliott has won each of his two appearances since being re-called from his conditioning stint in the AHL. In his two wins he posted a 2.28 GAA and .929 SV%. Elliott is 0-2-0 with a 4.08 GAA and .854 SV% in two starts vs. the Red Wings this season.

Anderson has not stated a game since February 21st. He will be back in the cage tonight when the Sens face the Panthers. Anderson is 8-4-2 and still leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.49 GAA) and save percentage (.952 SV%) this year. The matchup vs. Florida is a good one, so he should be able to record a win in his first game back.

McQuaid hasn't played since March 19th. He has just four points 25 games this season.

Dubinsky did not take part in Columbus' morning skate, so he could be dealing with an injury. He has had a hard time staying healthy in his first year in Columbus and has been in-and-out of the lineup frequently. Monitor his status after pre-game warmups.

Anderson has not stated a game since February 21st. It appears as if he will be back in the cage tonight when the Sens face the Panthers. Anderson is 8-4-2 and still leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.49 GAA) and save percentage (.952 SV%) this year. The matchup vs. Florida is a good one, so he should be able to record a win in his first game back.