Line Change
Elliott, Hunwick and Porter the healthy scratches for #Avs tonight
Looks like Porter is the healthy scratch with the rest of the forwards healthy. The former collegiate standout has three goals and five points through 27 games.
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NHL Hockey Player News
Goalie Start
The Blue Jackets will go with goaltender Steve Mason tonight
In nine career starts against the Sharks, Mason has a 3-5-1 record with a 2.39 GAA, .932 SV% and one shutout.
Goalie Start
#CBJ interim coach Todd Richards says G Curtis Sanford will play Wednesday vs. #LAKings.
In four career appearances against the Kings, Sanford has a 1-3-0 record with a 2.80 GAA, .915 SV% and one shutout.
Line Change
Zidlicky is unhappy, something I learned this morning when the veteran defenseman came looking for me to offer his opinion on the fact that tonight against his former team, the Nashville Predators, he’ll be scratched for a third consecutive game.
Zidlicky once again is a healthy scratch and could be traded for his recent outburst. The offensive defenseman has only 11 assists through 34 games.
“I think from this point forward it’s about getting his strength up and conditioning,” the Sharks coach continued. “I can’t pinpoint a date for you, but the sooner the better.”
Havlat is off crutches and walking around normally. In his first 26 games with the Sharks, the Czech winger scored two goals and 15 points. Expect him to return at some point in February.
Line Change
Carter (shoulder), Joudrey (healthy) the scratches.
Joudrey is still looking to make his NHL debut. He will be used as a depth forward.
Carter (shoulder), Joudrey (healthy) the scratches.
Carter remains out with a separated shoulder. Limited to only 30 games, the top line center has 10 goals and 17 points on the season.
Matt Beleskey may be ready to draw back in after missing the last three games due to a swollen right hand.
Beleskey took a shot off his hand and has been out of the lineup ever since. He has two goals and eight points through 40 games.
Jason Blake appears questionable due to a lingering foot injury.
Blake has been a big part of the Ducks' recent surge. The Moorhead, Minnesota native has four goals and eight points through 15 games. Expect Niklas Hagman to take his place on the second line.
Goalie Start
Jonas Hiller (15-18-7, 2.81 GAA, .907 SV%) will make his eighth straight start since his recovery from a minor knee injury.
In 22 career starts against the Coyotes, Hiller has a 13-6-2 record with a 2.67 GAA, .915 SV% and one shutout.
Line Change
Looking like Bickell is the scratch tonight
Bickell is the odd-man out tonight. The former 17-goal scorer has only four goals and nine points through 41 games this season.
Line Change
#Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp will play tonight vs. #Canucks.
Expect Sharp to flank Brendan Morrison and Marian Hossa on the second line. Tonight will mark his first game since January 8th, when he broke his wrist while scoring a goal.
#CBJ D Marc Methot is sick and questionable for tonight vs #sjsharks
If Methot can't play, look for rookie David Savard to step in. Methot scored a goal and seven points through 43 games.
Goalie Start
Looks like G Steve Mason will start for #CBJ , his 200th #NHL game.
In nine career starts against the Sharks, Mason has a 3-5-1 record with a 2.39 GAA, .932 SV% and one shutout.
In terms of tonight’s game, the Predators will likely be without defenseman Francis Bouillon and forward Jerred Smithson. Both are nursing “upper body” injuries. Coach Barry Trotz said both are close to being healthy, but he wanted to give them a little more time to make sure they were 100 percent.
Bouillon won't play tonight but remains a possibility for the rest of the week. The native New Yorker has only six assists on the season but has been very sturdy on the defensive side of things.
In terms of tonight’s game against the Wild, the Predators will likely be without defenseman Francis Bouillon and forward Jerred Smithson. Both are nursing “upper body” injuries. Coach Barry Trotz said both are close to being healthy, but he wanted to give them a little more time to make sure they were 100 percent.
Smithson should get back into the lineup shortly. He has a goal and five points through 44 games as the team's fourth line center.
Injury
Skille also missed again (shoulder) #flapanthers
Skille is expected to miss a few games. The former 7th overall pick has two goals and six points through 33 games.
Panthers Upshall out past 2 practices with lower body injury.
Sounds like Upshall is not quite 100 percent. The gritty winger has a goal and three points through 17 games with 25 PIM.
Another Blues player on the mend is veteran defenseman Kent Huskins, who pushed himself through his hardest practice yet Monday trying to return from a fractured left ankle. Huskins hasn't played since Oct. 28.
Huskins likely plays in a depth role for the Blues once healthy. The veteran has two goals and four points through nine games.
Hitchcock said he is encouraged, but he's not ready to pencil either into the lineup yet, either.
McDonald practiced for the two days in a row with contact. Skating on an extra line likely indicates he won't play this week.
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Who are the top NHL players to watch this season?
There’s never been more talent scattered across the NHL than there is this season. With living legends like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin still setting records left-and-right, alongside today’s current superstars such as Connor McDavid and Nathan Mackinnon, the level of talent in the NHL is at an all-time high. Along with these established stars, there’s plenty of budding stars emerging every season such as Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Matvei Michkov.
What are the latest updates on NHL player suspensions or disciplinary actions?
Already this season we’ve seen the hammer brought down by the NHL Department of Player Safety. Notable suspensions and fines include Ryan Reaves of the Toronto Maple Leafs who was given a five-game suspension for an illegal check to the head against the Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot who was dealt a three-game suspension, also for an illegal hit to the head.
In the 2023-24 season, there were a total of 14 suspensions and 17 fines issued throughout the NHL. The longest suspension served was dealt to former-Detroit Red Wing David Perron at six-games after a cross-checking penalty dealt ironically against his current team in the 2024-25 season, the Ottawa Senators. Additionally, Perron was fined $148,437.48 for his actions.
How are NHL player performances impacting fantasy hockey?
NHL player performances make a direct impact on the outcome of any fantasy hockey matchup. Staying up to date with the latest news and performances of your team’s players can be the difference between winning and losing.
Some notable fantasy hockey performers that flew under the radar in most drafts this year include Martin Necas (123 ADP) of the Carolina Hurricanes and Kiefer Sherwood of the Vancouver Canucks. While sleeper picks are always a great get, nothing is worse than a bust taken early on. Some of the most disappointing players of the fantasy hockey season includes Zach Hyman (28 ADP) of the Edmonton Oilers and Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars (33 ADP).
Whether you’re checking out how your current rostered players are performing or scouting for hidden gems on the waiver wire, the latest player news can help you make your next winning move this season.
Which NHL players are having breakout or comeback seasons?
Every season there are several players who have breakout years, establishing themselves as some of the best up-and-coming stars in the league. In the 2024-25 season early breakout candidates have emerged such as Dylan Strome of the Washington Capitals (on-pace for his first 100-point season) and Ivan Barbashev of the Vegas Golden Knights (on-pace for career-high in points).
Additionally, nothing beats a comeback story, and that can be said about surging veterans such as Anze Koipitar of the Los Angeles Kings, and Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars.
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