NHL Hockey Player News

Hellebuyck had the night off in Winnipeg's 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday but will return to the crease on Friday in a favourable matchup against the low-scoring Chicago Blackhawks (2.09 GF / GP). Hellebuyck allowed five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) in his last contest but was playing excellent hockey leading up to that, saving 87 of 90 shots (.967 SV%) during a three-game winning streak. The Jets enter action on Friday as sizeable -275 road favourites.

Luukkonen will return to the crease for the fourth straight game on Friday evening. The 24-year-old Finnish netminder has been outstanding lately, allowing more than three goals only once in his last 15 outings (9-6-0), boasting a terrific .933 SV% and three shutouts. The Sabres are -147 road favourites heading into Friday's tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Texier recorded two points (0G / 2A) on Wednesday, snapping a six-game pointless skid. Texier has most recently been playing on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Mathieu Oliver.

With Nathan Bastian (lower body) finding himself on Injured Reserve, Brian Halonen earned his first career call-up to the New Jersey Devils from Utica (AHL) on Friday. The 25-year-old left-winger has been enjoying a solid season in Utica in 2023-24, with 13 goals, 17 points, 10 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus in 21 games played before his call up.

Bastian has been placed on Injured Reserve Friday after an extremely eventful game on Thursday vs. New York. Bastian was the recipient of a hard hit from New York's Matt Rempe Thursday which resulted in a five-minute major and ejection and later fought Jacob Trouba after receiving another hard hit. The 26-year-old was on pace to break his previous career high in games played (60) but will not be out indefinitely. He currently has 12 points, (5G/7A), 32 PIMs and a -10 plus/minus in 54 games played before his injury.

Dowd left the Capitals' game on Tuesday vs. New Jersey with an upper-body injury after just 6:20 TOI and was placed on Injured Reserve Friday. The 33-year-old centre has been solid in his usual bottom-six role this season, with eight goals, 16 points, 45 SOG, 30 PIMs and +8 plus/minus through 45 games before his injury. He will miss the Capitals' next two games at the least due to being placed on IR.

With the news of TJ Oshie (lower body) out for an indefinite period, Hendrix Lapierre was recalled on Friday from Hershey (AHL) and is expected to join the lineup on Saturday. The 22-year-old centre has enjoyed a solid season in Hersey, with five goals, 17 points and six PIMs in 21 games played but returns to Washington where he also has seven points in 25 games during his previous call up.

Smith has been out since December 21st due to a lower-body injury but could return to the Sharks' lineup on Saturday after being activated off Injured Reserve earlier this week. The 25-year-old bruising right winger will provide some much-needed grit into the Sharks' lineup with his one goal, two assists, 27 SOG, 33 PIM and -4 plus/minus through 26 games before the injury.

Kunin played in the Sharks last game but is dealing with an undisclosed ailment, making his status uncertain for Saturday's game against the Nashville Predators. The bruising forward has been held off the scoresheet in 12 of his last 13 games.

Howden most recently played on a line with William Karlsson and Grigori Denisenko but did not play on Thursday and has been placed on IR. The 25-year-old Howden has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 54 games this season.

The Shark returns to action from a five-day absence on Saturday and will turn to Kahkonen between the pipes. Kahkonen last played last Saturday and allowed four goals on 37 shots, including a goal in the final minute, in a 4-3 regulation loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sharks will face off against Nashville Predators club riding a three-game winning streak.

Kyle Burroughs is expected to draw into the lineup on Saturday, making Addison a healthy scratch. Addison had a two-point outing (0G / 2A) earlier this week but has failed to record a point in 12 of his last 13 games.

Burroughs has not played the last two games but is likely to re-enter the lineup in favour of Calen Addison on Saturday. In his last game, Burroughs recorded one assist, one shot, and three hits in 16:05 time-on-ice.

In seven games with Montreal, Gignac had one point (1G / 0A), six shots, and seven hits. Most of his 2023-24 campaign has been spent with the Laval Rocket of the AHL, where he has been extremely productive, scoring 42 points (14G / 28A) in 43 games.

Oshie had to be helped off the ice after suffering a non-contact lower-body injury. Head coach Spencer Carbery said that his level of concern for Oshie's injury was "fairly high" and added that he'll be evaluated on Friday. Expect the Capitals to release a detailed timeline in the coming days.