NHL Hockey Player News

On the front end of a back-to-back, Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson for the third time in their last four games. Gustavsson has struggled to keep the puck out of his net lately, allowing three or more goals in three straight (1-0-1), posting a lacklustre .851 SV%. Minnesota enters action as a +158 road underdog against the Edmonton Oilers and their top-five offence (3.58 GF / GP).

Demek was the 128th overall pick of the Golden Knights in the 2021 NHL Entry Entry Draft. The 20-year-old Slovak-born forward is playing his first professional season and has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 44 games with the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL.

Ruzicka made his Coyotes debut on February 12th and has played three games with the team since being claimed on waivers from the Calgary Flames earlier this month. In 42 games this season, the Slovak-born Ruzicka has nine points (3G / 6A). He is expected to have his contract terminated upon clearing waivers.

Pouliot played the last three games for the Stars but will return to Texas (AHL), indicating that Jani Hakanpaa or Nils Lundkvist are ready to return from injuries. The 30-year-old Pouliot is no stranger to the NHL with 224 games under his belt but has spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign with Texas (AHL), tallying 31 points (8G / 23A) in 44 games.

The Red Wings will turn to Lyon on Saturday, the front end of a back-to-back, for his third straight start. Lyon was outstanding on Thursday night, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) against the typically high-scoring Colorado Avalanche in a 2-1 overtime victory. The Red Wings will look to extend their winning streak to four games on Saturday afternoon against a St. Louis Blue club coming off an impressive 4-0 win over the New York Islanders.

Jankowski scored in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings but will be reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), ending his five-game stint with the Predators. The 29-year-old Jankowski has 329 NHL games under his belt but has spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign with Milwaukee in the AHL, scoring an impressive 47 points (15G / 32A) in 42 games.

Johnson had appeared in 14 straight games for the Sabres before being a healthy scratch on Wednesday. Johnson has been quietly productive from the blueline lately, tallying five assists in his last 12 games.

Ehlers recorded an assist on Tuesday but has been limited to only three points (0G / 3A) in his last 10 games. The Danish forward has become a fixture on the second line with Sean Monahan and Cole Perfetti.

Pickard has continued to be serviceable despite the Oilers' recent struggles and will return to the crease on Friday night. After their franchise-best 16-game winning streak ended earlier this month, the Oilers have showcased a pedestrian 4-3-1 in their last eight, allowing three or more goals in each contest. That said, Pickard is riding a six-game winning streak, allowing three or fewer goals in each while boasting a respectable .916 SV%. The Oilers enter action as -177 home favourites against the Minnesota Wild.

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.

Mrazek had the night off in Chicago's 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday but will return to the crease on Friday night. The Czech netminder had a rough time in his last outing, allowing five goals on 41 shots (.878 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blackhawks enter action as +237 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets club that is 4-5-1 in their last 10.

Johnson is battling an illness and will not play in Friday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The veteran defender has three points (3G / 0A), 84 hits, and 65 blocks in 48 games this season.

Fasching has been out of the lineup since before the All-Star break and has been reassigned to Bridgeport (AHL) for conditioning. The depth right-winger has struggled offensively with the Islanders this season, with three goals, eight points, 30 SOG and a -8 plus/minus in 35 games played.

Bolduc has not played since January 27th and has been reassigned to Bridgeport (AHL) for conditioning. Bolduc has one goal and two assists in 33 games this season.

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

Tarasov will start for the second straight game after an impressive outing in his last contest. On Wednesday, Tarasov exited the game briefly at the end of the second period but returned in the third en route to saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 7-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The Blue Jackets enter Friday's matchup against the Buffalo Sabres as +136 home underdogs.

Johnson is battling an illness and his status is up in the air ahead of Friday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The veteran defender has three points (3G / 0A), 84 hits, and 65 blocks in 48 games this season.

Luukkonen will likely 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.