NHL Hockey Player News

Smith has missed the last two games with flu-like symptoms, but could be back in the lineup tonight. He has six goals and nine assists (15 points) in 29 games.

Hedman will miss his third consecutive game tonight and is expected to miss at least three more games.

Ville Leino will draw into the lineup with Hodgson out. Hodgson had seven goals and nine assists (16 points) in his first 22 games but has registered just one goal and one assist in his last nine games. Consider him day-to-day.

The Red Wings said on Wednesday that they don't believe Howard's injury is serious, but we will find out for sure after the MRI. Jonas Gustavsson will take over as the number-1 with Petr Mrazek as his backup until Howard is ready to return. Howard said he's hoping he's out only 1-2 weeks but not sure until MRI tomorrow.

Justin Falk will take a seat while the 6-foot-5 McIlrath makes his NHL debut. He is not known for his offensive output as much as his rough and physical play. He was recalled when Marc Staal was placed on IR and should have a huge impact on the Rangers blueline.

Price allowed four goals on 16 before being yanked in Tuesday's blowout loss to the Kings. The loss snapped his seven game winning streak. He will make his second start against the Flyers this season. In his first outing he stopped 22 of 23 shots in a 4-1 win. Be confident when starting Price tonight.

Hutton was solid on Tuesday allowing just one goal on 29 shots (.966 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Rangers. It was his first start since November 10, but he showed no rust. He will go again tonight against the Stars. It will be only his third home start, he is 1-1-0 with a 3.20 GAA and .901 SV% in his first two.

Miller stopped 35 of 36 shots (.927 SV%) in a shootout win over the Senators on Tuesday. He will face them again tonight but this time in Ottawa. Miller has a .920 SV%, but only SIX wins in 22 starts. He has been great the Sabres have been awful. He carries a 2-6-0 record with a 3.24 GAA and .925 SV% on the road.

Reimer gave up three goals on 50 shots (.940 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout win over the Senators last Saturday. He has allowed three goals in each of his last three starts, but he's seen 119 shots combined so a .924 SV% suggests he is still playing very well. He draws a really tough matchup tonight in St. Louis.

How do I put this? Brassard's rear-end is sore. According to Alain Vigneault he fell hard on his backside and can't play tonight. Taylor Pyatt will draw into the lineup with Brassard out. Consider him day-to-day.

Mason allowed a goal on five shots after relieving Ray Emery in last night's shellacking by the Blackhawks. He will draw in tonight having allowed 11 goals in his last three starts. Both the Habs and Flyers are coming off of embarrassing losses, so it is a big game for both teams.

Ceci was the 15th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old is in his first full season with Binghamton and has two goals and 15 assists in 24 games. He is a great defensive prospect and is known for both his offensive and defensive prowess. He is a great power-play guy, but likely won't be with the Senators long enough to garner fantasy value. He will play for Marc Methout, who is out with the flu.

Despite being paired with Erik Karlsson, Methot is not a good fantasy option. He has two goals and five assists with a minus-7 rating in 31 games. Cody Ceci, who was recalled this morning will make his NHL debut with Methot out.

McElhinney gave up four goals on 34 shots, but it was enough to get the W on Tuesday vs. the Devils. He is now 2-1-0 as the Blue Jackets starter and draws a decent matchup tonight against the Rangers. New York has lost three straight with Henrik Lundqvist allowing four goals in each of those games.

Bishop was banged up for five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Capitals on Tuesday. The Lightning did not play great and the game was a constant parade to the penalty box for both teams. As I always say, a matchup with Alex Ovechkin is dangerous and boy was that ever true on Tuesday. The Russian sniper potted four of the Capitals five goals. He draws a slightly easier matchup against a Red Wings team struggling to close out games.

Anderson gave up four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) but still came away with the shootout win on Monday vs. the Flyers. It was the fourth time in his last six starts that he has allowed four goals and it has pushed his GAA to 3.40 and SV% down to .895. He continues to struggle after a great 2012-13, but a matchup with the Sabres tonight could provide him with some much needed confidence.

McIlrath was the 10th overall pick in 2010 and is in his second season with the Rangers AHL affiliate in Hartford. He is not known for his offence as much as his physical play in defensive zone, so he does not represent a young D-Man with fantasy upside. He has been recalled because of the injury to Marc Staal and could make his NHL debut tonight.

Pageau recorded one goal in eight games with the Senators earlier this season. In his time with Binghamton he had six goals and 10 assists in 15 games. He is expected to dress tonight on the third line with Chris Neil and Colin Greening.

Hutton was solid on Tuesday allowing just one goal on 29 shots (.966 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Rangers. It was his first start since November 10, but he showed no rust. He is expected to go again tonight against the Stars. It would be only his third home start, he is 1-1-0 with a 3.20 GAA and .901 SV% in his first two.

Alzner was not injured on the play with 4:29 left in the second period, and Panik was given a five-minute major penalty for boarding on which the Capitals scored twice. The NHL ruled Alzner was in a "vulnerable position" and "at a dangerous distance from the boards" when he was hit, causing "a violent collision with the boards." Panik will miss tonight's game vs. the Red Wings and Saturday's vs. the Devils. He is eligible to return on Sunday in Detroit.