NHL Hockey Player News

Bourque missed the Habs last two games with what was thought to be the flu, but is now a concussion. There is no timetable for Bourque's return.

Duchene (groin) will not play tonight when the Avalanche take on the Sharks. He is Colorado's leading scorer with six goals and 11 assists in 17 games. This is a tough break for the Avs who have had to battle through a lot of injuries this season.

Niemi has lost seven of his last eight starts but has only allowed 16 goals combined in those games (2.00 GAA). It isn't a matter of Niemi playing bad it is the offense that isn't getting the job done in front of him. However Niemi does have a good matchup tonight vs. the Avalanche.

Varlamov comes in having won two of his last five while posting a 3.31 GAA and .907 SV%. Colorado is 28th in the NHL at 7-8-2 so Varlamov is not a very good fantasy option. The Avalanche need the offense to be better, the defence to be better and Varly to be better if they're going to have any success.

Niemi has lost seven of his last eight starts but has only allowed 16 goals combined in those games (2.00 GAA). It isn't a matter of Niemi playing bad it is the offense that isn't getting the job done in front of him. However Niemi does have a good matchup tonight vs. the Avalanche.

It is probably going to be Bachman in between the pipes tonight because Nilstorp played yesterday and gave up five goals in a 5-4 loss to Nashville. Bachman is 1-3-0 with a 3.95 GAA and .897 SV% this season, not exactly numbers that make you feel confident about using him as a spot start.

After Roberto Luongo gave up eight goals against the Red Wings on Sunday it was obvious that Schneider was going to get the nod tonight. Schneider is 5-3-1 with a 2.68 GAA and .912 SV% this season. It will be a great goaltending battle between Schneider and Mike Smith who is probably going to start for Phoenix.

Pavelec has won three of his last four with a 2.52 GAA and .919 SV%. This is exactly what Pavelec needed after losing four straight games. It will be tough for him to record a win tonight against Lundqvist and the Rangers.

Backstrom has won two of his last four while posting excellent numbers (1.69 GAA and .936 SV%). He is the unquestioned #1 for Minnesota with Josh Harding on IR and he should see the vast majority of the starts going forward. He has a good matchup tonight vs. the Flames and Joey MacDonald.

Wellman has three goals and eight assists in 11 games with the Hershey Bears this season.

Burns has an undisclosed injury and won't be in the Sharks lineup for the next couple of games. Irwin will likely step into the lineup for Burns.

Clutterbuck was injured on a knee-on-knee hit by Oilers forward Taylor Hall. Hall was suspended two games for the incident. Clutterbuck is not fantasy relevant.

Brodeur missed his last start because of a shoulder so this call-up is likely just a precaution. Kinkaid is not expected to play for the Devils.

Either Bachman or Nilstorp to be between the pipes tonight for the Stars. Monitor Lehotnen's status prior to Thursday's contest.

Weiss' grandmother passed away and he will not play tonight. He has one goal, three assists and is a minus-11 in 14 games this season.

Byfuglien left the Jets last game with a leg injury and did not return. However he participated in an optional skate yesterday and will be in the lineup tonight. Make sure you get him in your lineup, he has three goals and six assists in 13 games this season.

All that was said about how long Wisniewski will be out was "long-term". This is another tough break for the Blue Jackets who continue to lose key players to injury. He joins Dubinsky, Anisimov and Jack Johnson on the IR. Wisniewski's fantasy season is likely over.

Malkin was placed on IR yesterday and there is no timetable for his return.

Anisimov suffered a head injury last Thursday vs. Detroit and was rushed to the hospital. It sounds like Anisimov is recovering well from what looked like a serious injury and he won't be out as long as originally expected.

It doesn't look like McDonagh will be in the lineup for the Rangers tonight after injuring his face and head in Saturday's game. There is word that McDonagh may have suffered a concussion on the hit by Max Pacioretty, but the injury still remains undisclosed.