NHL Hockey Player News

Stafford was injured in the first period on Thursday and will not dress tonight vs. the Devils. Zenon Konopka will make his Sabres debut tonight.

Seguin missed practice on Friday because of the flu, but his presence at the morning skate suggests that he is good-to-go and will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Red Wings. Seguin has two goals and two assists in his last two games and has totalled 41 points (21G / 20A) in 38 games.

LaBarbera never started a game for the Blackhawks after being acquired from the Oilers. He is 1-3-0 with a 3.27 GAA and .870 SV% this season. He assignment means that Antti Raanta will stick with the Blackhawks as Corey Crawford's backup.

Florek was the Bruins fifth round pick (135th overall) in 2010. He is a 6-foot-4, 194 pound forward who is in his third season with Providence. He has registered nine goals and 11 assists (20 points) in 34 games this season. There is no word on who is ailing for the Bruins that triggered his recall, but he could be in the lineup this afternoon vs. the Jets.

Miller allowed three goals on 31 shots in a loss to the Wild on Thursday. Despite the loss, it marked the 13th straight game that Miller has had a SV% above .900 as he now sits 11th in the NHL with a .926 on the season. Regardless of how terrible the Sabres have been, Miller has been a serviceable goalie throughout the season, especially over the last month. Tonight he draws a good matchup vs. the Devils' 24th ranked offence.

Nabokov allowed two goals on 39 shots in an OT win over the Blackhawks on Thursday. That marks back-to-back wins with 35+ saves vs. two great teams (BOS, CHI) for Nabokov. Tonight he will face the Hurricanes, who scored four on 23 shots in a 4-3 Carolina win back in October. Nabby has taken his game to a new level lately, so that early season defeat shouldn't deter you from starting him tonight.

Price gave up four goals on 32 shots in a 6-4 win over the Stars on Thursday. It was not the best outing for Price, who has now allowed nine goals in his last two starts, but the Habs will stick with their number-1 tonight vs. Ottawa. In his only start vs. the Senators this season, he allowed three goals on 23 shots in a 4-1 loss.

Briere is centring the Habs fourth line in the morning skate which suggests he will play tonight after being a healthy scratch in the last two games. Briere has been a big disappointment for Montreal this season, he has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 29 games while averaging just 12:38 TOI.

With Lundqvist starting in the loss last night, Talbot is likely to start today. The Leafs aren't a great matchup for the youngster, however.

Bernier was sensational in the Winter Classic, he stopped 41 of 43 shots en route to a 3-2 shootout win and first star of the game honours. He has clearly cemented himself as the Leafs starter and draws a good matchup tonight with the Rangers in town. He stopped 42 of 43 shots in 2-1 shootout loss in New York on December 23.

Leino missed the Sabres contest on Thursday after being forced from Tuesday's game in the first period. There has always been high hopes for Leino since coming to the NHL, but aside from his 53-point 2010-11 season, he has been a big disappointment. He has six assists and a minus-6 rating in 26 games this season.

Raanta stopped all 26 shots that he faced in a 1-0 win over the Kings on Monday. It was the 10th win and the first shutout of his NHL career. Tonight he gets the call in the second game of a back-to-back when the Blackhawks take on the Devils in New Jersey. In his first start vs. the Devils he allowed two goals on 12 shots in a 5-2 win.

Hiller allowed three goals on 36 shots in a win over the Sharks on Tuesday. He is absolutely scorching right now having won his last nine consecutive starts. Over that span he has posted a 1.97 GAA and .922 SV%. Tonight he faces an Oilers team he beat 3-2 on December 15.

Varlamov stopped 29 of 30 shots in a win over the Flyers on Thursday. It was his second straight win and 18th of the season. He carries an 18-8-4 record with a 2.33 GAA and .928 SV% into Saturday's meeting with the Sharks. In his first start vs. San Jose he stopped 41 of 45 shots in a 5-4 shootout loss.

Pavelec was pulled after allowing three goals on six shots in last Thursday's win over the Wild. Following Thursday's contest, Pavelec was given the next three starts off in favour of Al Montoya. It looks like he will return to the cage on Saturday vs. the Bruins, but coach Noel would say for certain. Pav enters play on Saturday 5-8-1 with a 2.76 GAA and .913 SV% on the road.

Olsen's placement on IR allows the Panthers to activate Ed Jovanovski, who is expected to make his season debut tomorrow.

Eberle injured his knee last night and the injury will keep him out of tonight's game. Ryan Jones is returning to the lineup and will likely take Ales Hemsky's spot, who is expected to shift to the second line RW.

Doan has missed the last 12 games because of an infection. It sounds like he will be activated from IR on Saturday and play vs. the Flyers. Doan was on fire before he got sick and has 23 points (12G / 11A) in 27 games.

Gonchar is improving, but it will be up to head coach Lindy Ruff whether on not he is in the lineup on Saturday. Gonchar has missed the last five games with a concussion that he suffered on December 21.

Lupul caught a break and will be in the lineup tomorrow vs. the Rangers.