NHL Hockey Player News

Theodore has not played since mid-November after undergoing surgery for an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return after being activated from IR on Monday. Theodore was pacing for the most productive season of his career with 18 points (4G / 14A) in 20 games and will likely draw back onto the top powerplay unit upon his return. Head coach Bruce Cassidy stated "I think next week is probably more realistic" in regards to his return.

Luff has been a healthy scratch the entirety of his time with the Red Wings this season and will report to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) after clearing waivers. In 28 games with Grand Rapids last season, Luff had 25 points (8G / 17A).

Jankowski played the last three games for the Predators, registering a -2 plus/minus and four shots on goal while averaging nearly 12 minutes on the ice. He will likely play again in the Predators' next matchup on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Couture's season to forget earned another chapter last Monday as the center experienced a setback related to his minor groin injury and is now expected to be out week-to-week. The 34-year-old has only been able to appear in six games for the Sharks this season and has an assist, seven SOG, and four PIMs. He will be on Injured Reserve indefinitely.

Steen cleared waivers and will report to the Provident Bruins of the AHL. The 25-year-old had been a non-existent factor offensively for the Bruins, as he only had a goal, no assists, 24 SOG and four PIMs through 34 games played.

Thrun has not played since January 23rd due to a shoulder injury, missing the last six games. The 22-year-old Thrun has three points (1G / 2A), 28 shots, and 39 blocks in 23 games this season.

Blackwood will return to the crease for the Sharks on Monday after having the night off on Saturday. The 27-year-old Blackwood is quietly amid an impressive four-game winning streak, allowing three or fewer goals in each and posting a stellar .939 SV%. That said, the Sharks are sizeable +236 home underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Hellberg was recalled for precautionary reasons, although Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan didn't specify whether it was in regards to Tristan Jarry or Alex Nedjelkovic, who both played over the weekend. Hellberg has a 3.03 GAA and .901 SV% in 17 games (8-7-2) with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) this season.

Hellebuyck will start for the fourth straight game on Monday afternoon against the Calgary Flames. After a slight blip in an otherwise nearly perfect 2023-24 campaign, losing three straight, Hellebuyck has rebounded by winning three straight and allowing only four total goals. Hellebuyck was outstanding in his last outing, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the typically high-scoring Vancouver Canucks.

Beauvillier has been out of the lineup since the beginning of January but is expected to return on Monday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Beauvillier had scored six points (2G / 4A) in 15 games since joining the Blackhawks.

Mrazek will return to the crease for the seventh time in the last eight games for the Blackhawks. The Czech netminder helped the Blackhawks snap an eight-game losing skid on Saturday with a stellar performance, saving 40 of 42 shots (.952 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. Mrazek has been a bright spot all season for a poor Blackhawks squad, keeping them within reaching distance of the opposition on most nights. That said, the Blackhawks enter action as +369 road underdogs against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday.

Gusvtasson will return to the crease on Monday afternoon in a daunting matchup against the high-scoring Vancouver Canucks. Gustavsson allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in his last outing, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He has allowed three goals in five of his last six games (3-2-1).

Duchene participated in the pre-game skate but was a last-minute scratch for the Stars. Duchene joins Miro Heiskanen, Jani Hakanpaa, and Evgeni Dadanov as lineup regulars sidelined on Monday afternoon. Sam Steel is expected to see increased offensive deployment, likely centring Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment during Duchene's absence.

Siegenthaler has been out of the lineup for over a month due to a broken foot but appears ready to return to the lineup on Tuesday. The 26-year-old defender has eight points (1G / 7A) in 38 games this season and will be a welcome addition to a Devils squad that has had an injury-depleted defensive core lately, most notably with Dougie Hamilton on LTIR.

Gregor has played every game since January 9th but will be a healthy scratch Monday afternoon. He has one assist, nine shots, and a whopping 14 hits in his last three games.

Tavares has missed two of the last three games, one with an illness and, most recently, an undisclosed injury, but will return to the lineup Monday afternoon. In his last outing, Tavares played 20:54 time-on-ice and recorded three shots on goal. The veteran forward is averaging an impressive 3.7 shots per game over his last 10.

Rifai has played the last two seasons with the Toronto Marlies and has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 34 games this season. He is expected to skate on the third defensive pair with Maxime Lajoie.

Samsonov had the night off the Saturday, a 9-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, and will return to the crease Monday afternoon against the St. Louis Blues. Samsonov is riding a three-game winning streak and saved 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-3 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Bobrovsky will return to the crease for the fifth time in the last six games for the Panthers on Tuesday night. The All-Star netminder is riding a six-game winning streak and has been sensational throughout, allowing two or fewer goals in each contest and posting a marvellous .946 SV%. The Panthers have a favourable matchup on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, whom Bobrovsky made a 20-save shutout against earlier this season.

Ekblad did not play in the Panthers' dominating 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday due to a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators. After a four-point night on January 19th, Ekblad has been held without a point in eight of his last nine games.