NHL Hockey Player News

Jones will make his NHL debut tonight. He was 9-2-2 with a 2.24 GAA and .927 SV% in the AHL before being recalled, but he draws a very difficult matchup tonight.

Franson will miss his second straight game. He could be back on Thursday.

Luongo allowed three goals on 10 shots and was pulled on Saturday vs. the Rangers. It was a tough night for Bobby Lu but he should be in for an easier night tonight when the Canucks are in Nashville to take on the Predators 24th ranked offence.

“He’s really worked hard in practices,” said Ruff. “In his first game, early on he was OK and as the game went on he got better. He skates well, he shoots the puck well and he knows our system really well. I told him the other day that I am going to play him, so it’s up to him to play well now.” Jamie Oleksiak, who played on defense in Sunday’s game against Edmonton, will be a healthy scratch

Seguin, who was injured in Friday night’s game against the Blackhawks at American Airlines Center, is expected to skate with the Stars Wednesday in Toronto. “He’s doing well. He did really well yesterday. He’ll be one guy that could skate tomorrow and there’s a possibility he could play in Toronto (Thursday),” said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. “It’s really encouraging.”

Malone will miss his fourth straight game tonight and will likely be out until January.

Allen has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury he suffered last Saturday. He will take part in warmups and a decision will be made from there. If he can't go tonight, he will likely be back on Friday barring any setbacks.

Ramo allowed one goal on 22 shots in a win over the Kings on Saturday. It was a strong outing for a goalie who has had his struggles this season. The good effort on Saturday earned him a start on Wednesday vs. the Coyotes. It is not an ideal matchup, i would wait for Ramo to prove that the win was not just a fluke.

Schultz spent the last eight years in the Washington Capitals organization. He totaled 399 NHL games recording 11 goals and 75 points. In 23 games with the Manchester Monarchs he has a goal and an assist. There is no word on which Kings defenseman is dealing with an injury, or if Schultz will dress tonight.

Emmerton had one assist in four games with the Red Wings last season, and has three goals and 11 assists with Grand Rapids this season.

Bryzgalov is not able to dress tonight, so the recently recalled Jason LaBarbera will serve as Devan Dubnyk's backup tonight. Bryzgalov is being treated for a concussion so there is no timetable for his return. "He took a wicked blow there," said head coach Dallas Eakins, who also added he did not think there was any intent to make contact with Bryzgalov.

So much for the schedule sets up for Ben Scrivens to start every game until Jonathan Quick gets back… Head coach Darryl Sutter refuses to confirm a starter but the goalie who leaves the ice first is the starter 98% of the time, so it looks like Jones will make his NHL debut tonight. He was 9-2-2 with a 2.24 GAA and .927 SV% in the AHL before being recalled, but he draws a very difficult matchup tonight.

HIller allowed three goals on 35 shots in a shootout loss to the Sharks on Saturday. He finished November with a 4-2-2 record, 2.94 GAA and .896 SV%. Tonight the Ducks welcome the Los Angeles Kings, Hiller is 5-0-1 at home this year, the Ducks are 10-0-1 as a team.

Giordano has been out since October 21 so it has been six weeks which is on the front end of his six-to-eight week timetable. The Flames captain would be a welcomed addition to the blueline, especially against a good Coyotes offence. He had a great start to the year with two goals and nine points in eight games. Monitor his status tomorrow.

Burrows fractured his jaw after being hit in the face with the puck on a Chris Tanev clearing attempt. Ryan Kesler is expected to move back up to play with the Sedin twins.

Handzus recorded one assist in four games after returning from a hand injury, but will sit out tonight with an illness. Brandon Pirri will move back to the second line, Andrew Shaw shifts back to centre and Sheldon Brookbank will dress as the third line right winger.

Bertuzzi skated with his teammates today, but will not play tomorrow vs. Philadelphia. It will be the sixth straight game that Bert will have missed. With Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk also out, the Red Wings have recalled Cory Emmerton from Grand Rapids.

After appearing in court yesterday, Varlamov will be able to travel with the team and play until his next court date which is set to be January 23. Great news for the Avalanche and Varlamov owners, because he continues to play at a high level. He stopped 35 of 37 shots in a win over the Wild on Saturday. He has a solid matchup in Edmonton on Thursday.

Schneider posted a 15-save shutout against the Sabres on Saturday. His tremendous season continues, he has a 1.72 GAA and .927 SV%… But it is the same story as it was in Vancouver. He does not see enough crease-time to make him an elite option. The Devils played the Habs well on Monday, so it should be another close game on Wednesday.

Lehtonen allowed two goals on 32 shots in a tough-luck shootout loss on Sunday. It was his fourth consecutive loss and things don't get any easier for him tonight when the Stars are in Chicago without Tyler Seguin. During his four-game skid Lehtonen has a 2.83 GAA and .893 SV%.