NHL Hockey Player News

The Sharks will continue their goalie rotation to start the season, turning to Blackwood between the pipes for the fourth time in seven games. In three games this season (0-1-2), the 27-year-old Blackwood has an ugly 4.88 GAA and .875 SV%. The Sharks are one of two teams without a win this season (0-4-2) and enter the action on Tuesday as +135 road underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks, who, despite a reasonable 2-2-1 record, are second-worst in the league offensively with only 12 goals scored.

Toews has been on Injured Reserve since October 14th and could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. Toews has not played since the second game of the season and has one point (0G / 1A), three shots on goal, and a -2 plus/minus.

Wagner has been in and out of the lineup since the injury to Jonathan Drouin (upper-body) in Colorado's season opener. Wagner has played two games so far, recording a -1 plus/minus, three hits, and three shots on goal.

The Golden Knights, winless in three straight (0-2-1), will turn to Samsonov between the pipes for the second consecutive game. Samsonov suffered a 4-3 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday but performed admirably, peppered with 49 shots and saving 45 of them (.918 SV%). The 27-year-old Samsonov has a 2.41 GAA and .931 SV% in two games the season (1-0-1). The Golden Knights enter action on Tuesday as -125 home favorites against the Los Angeles Kings.

Tristan Jarry will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game as Alex Nedeljkovic will be the starting netminder and backed up by Joel Blomqvist on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. The 29-year-old Jarry lost the trust of the Penguins coaching staff late in the 2023-24 season and is trending in that same direction this season. In three games (1-1-0), Jarry has an ugly 5.47 GAA and .836 SV%.

Highmore spent most of the 2024 season in the AHL, where he had 31 points (9G / 22A) in 43 games. During a brief time in the NHL, he had two assists in seven games, giving him 29 points (12G / 17A) in 146 career NHL games with the Blackhawks, Canucks, Blues and Senators. He has not played yet this season and will likely make his 2024-25 debut with the Belleville Senators in the AHL.

The Penguins will turn to Nedeljkovic for a second straight game on Tuesday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Nedeljkovic made his season debut on Sunday, returning from an injury, and was excellent in the first period, saving all 11 shots he faced before ultimately allowing five goals on 36 shots (.861 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Penguins are desperate to find some stability in their crease after allowing three or more goals in each game this season, being outscored 31-24 for seven games (3-4-0). The Penguins enter action as +101 road underdogs against the Flames.

Leddy suffered a lower-body injury last week and has been placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to October 16th, making him eligible to return on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 33-year-old Leddy has zero points and a -3 plus/minus through four games this season. Pierre-Olivier Joseph has draw in as Leddy's replacement in the last two games.

John Gibson (appendectomy) is nearing a return to the Ducks' lineup but could be hard-pressed to earn playing time, as Dostal has been impressive between the pipes early in the 2024-25 season. Dostal will start for the fourth straight game and look to improve on his 2.48 GAA and .930 SV% through four games (2-1-1). The Ducks enter Tuesday's contest as -150 home favorites against a San Jose Sharks club that has been outscored 26-12 in six games this season (0-4-2).

Reinhardt was recalled over the weekend but served as a healthy scratch for Ottawa. The 24-year-old Reinhardt has been reassigned to the Belleville Senators (AHL), where he has five points (2G / 3A) in three games this season.

Ullmark has not dressed for the last three games and will be sidelined for at least one more, missing Tuesday's game against the Utah Hockey Club. The 31-year-old net-minder just signed a four-year, $33 million contract extension with Ottawa days before the start of the season. He has a 2.58 GAA and .914 SV% through two games with the team so far (1-1-0).

With Linus Ullmark (strain) sidelined for at least one more game Merilainen has been recalled to serve as Anton Forsberg's backup on Tuesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 22-year-old Merilainen has a 3.47 GAA and .852 SV% in three games with the Belleville Senators (AHL) this season (2-1-0).

Linus Ullmark (strain) was seemingly targeting a return to action on Tuesday but will be out of the lineup for at least one more game, giving Forsberg his fourth straight start. Forsberg has allowed three or more goals in each of his three outings but recorded his first victory of the season on Saturday despite allowing four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) in a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Senators enter action on Tuesday as slight -100 road underdogs against the Utah Hockey Club.

The Penguins will turn to Nedeljkovic for a second straight game on Tuesday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Nedeljkovic made his season debut on Sunday, returning from an injury, and was excellent in the first period, saving all 11 shots he faced before ultimately allowing five goals on 36 shots (.861 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Penguins are desperate to find some stability in their crease after allowing three or more goals in each game this season, being outscored 31-24 for seven games (3-4-0). The Penguins enter action as +101 road underdogs against the Flames.

Mukhamadullin had yet to appear for San Jose this season and will head back to the Barracuda (AHL) on Tuesday to get consistent playing time. The 22-year-old appeared in three games with the Sharks in 2023-24, picking up an assist, five SOG and four PIMs.

Bordeleau had yet to appear for San Jose due to a lower-body injury and has been assigned to the Barracuda (AHL) to get up to game speed. The 22-year-old centre appeared in 27 games with the Sharks in 2023-24, picking up six goals, 11 points, 18 PIMs and a -18 plus/minus.

The Rangers will turn to Shesterkin for the fifth time in six games to start the 2024-25 season. The 28-year-old Shesterkin continues to make his case for being the undisputed best netminder in the league early this season, boasting a stellar 1.97 GAA and .935 SV% in four games (3-0-1). The Rangers own the best point percentage in the Eastern Conference (.900) and enter the action on Tuesday as sizeable -232 road favorites against a Montreal Canadiens club that will be without offensive threat Juraj Slafkovsky (upper body).

The Utah Hockey Club will turn to Ingram between the pipes on Tuesday for his third consecutive start and sixth in seven games this season. Ingram has been inconsistent to start the season, allowing four or more goals in three of five outings (4-0-1), posting a 3.29 GAA and .881 SV%, but was outstanding in his last contest, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins. Utah HC enters action on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators as slight -106 home favorites.

Justin Brazeau will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Jones to re-enter the lineup for the Bruins. Jones has been a healthy scratch the last several games and is averaging 9:32 time-on-ice in his two outings this season.

Max Jones will draw back into the Bruins' lineup on Tuesday, resulting in Brazeau being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Brazeau has averaged 11:44 time-on-ice through five games this season, tallying one point (0G / 1A) and a -3 plus/minus rating.